Techniques in Bible Poetry:

In Hebrew texts, a rhythmic beat (usually of 3 to 4 beats per line) and heightened poetic language can be found in Wisdom Writings and the books of The Prophets. In addition, some Psalms use a poetic form, such as the acrostic where the first letter of each line spells a word down the page or the alphabet poem where the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet begins each verse. For instance, Psalm 119 has an intricate pattern of eight-line stanzas for each of 22 letters from Aleph to Taw.

In the original language of Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic, Bible verses sometimes had amusing wordplays or puns that unfortunately got lost in translation. So, a better-known feature of Bible poetry translates well as parallelism, which means that a line contrasts, compares, repeats, or completes one or more other lines. Then subsequent lines expand or clarify the meaning of the opening line. For example, Proverbs 8:1 says:

“Does not wisdom call,
does not understanding raise her voice?”

In Isaiah 41:10, God speaks poetically through the prophet to say:

Fear not, for I am with you.
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

Similarly, in Matthew 11:30, Jesus poetically promises:

“Come to me, all who labor
and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
 Take my yoke upon you,
and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
 

Christians often refer to the Holy Scriptures as “Bible verses,” suggesting poetry, but Bible poems aren’t always upbeat. In poetic books such as Job, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes, poets wrote through fear, anger, envy, complaint, worry, pride, and other emotions. For example, Psalm 6:1 says:

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger!
Chasten me not in your wrath.

Most Bible readers have felt the chill of Psalm 22 spoken by Christ on the cross:

“My God! My God!
Why have you forsaken me?”

Without that outcry, however, the 23rd Psalm might be less credible in bringing biblical truth and the assurance of God’s redeeming love.
 

For a critique of your poems, poetry chapbook, or book of poems, see
the Critique Service page. For tips on writing Bible-based poetry, see
Bible Poems. For more suggestions, see Poems & Tips.

©2010 Mary Harwell Sayler
P.O. Box 62, Lake Como, FL 32157-0062
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