We use cookies to collect general visitor statistics but not personal information. Privacy policy

Bible books - the Poetic books

Bible overview
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs.
Contributed by Phillip Martin
1
Five books in the Bible are known as books of poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. (The book of Lamentations is sometimes listed as a poetic book as well). <br/>These books are almost entirely made up of poems, songs, and wise sayings that the ancient Jews used to make wise decisions and worship God. – Slide 1
2
Job<br/> A righteous man named Job suffers a series of terrible tragedies that take away his wealth, his family, and his health. Even after losing everything, Job does not curse God. Three friends come to commiserate with Job, but they eventually speak their minds about the situation, advancing the notion that God is punishing Job for some secret sin. Job denies any sinfulness on his part, yet in his pain he cries out to God for answers—he trusts God, but he also wants God to explain Himself. In the end, God shows up and overwhelms Job with His majesty, wisdom, and power. God restores Job’s fortune, health, and family, but the answer to why Job had suffered God never answers. – Slide 2
3
Psalms<br/> This collection of songs includes praise to the Lord, cries of the needy, worshipful adoration, laments, thanksgiving, prophecy, and the full spectrum of human emotion. Some of the songs were written for specific occasions, such as traveling to the temple or crowning a new king. – Slide 3
4
Proverbs<br/> A collection of moral teachings and general observances about life, this book is directed to those in search of wisdom. Subjects include love, sex, marriage, money, work, children, anger, strife, thoughts, and words. – Slide 4
5
Ecclesiastes<br/> A wise older man who calls himself the Preacher philosophizes about life, looking back over what he has learned from his experiences. The Preacher, having lived apart from God, recounts the futility of various dead-end paths. Nothing in this world satisfies: riches, pleasure, knowledge, or work. Without God in the equation, all is vanity. – Slide 5
6
Song of Songs<br/> A king and a humble maiden express love and devotion to each other through their courtship, leading to a joyous and affirming consummation of the marriage on the wedding night. The song continues to depict some of the difficulties faced by the bridegroom and his bride in their married life, always coming back to the yearning the lovers have for each other and the undying strength of love. – Slide 6
7
Slide 7