Parallelism

The Psalms are songs and poetry. The reason they do not rhyme is because they are Hebrew poetry, not English poetry. Hebrew poetry is based on meaning rather than meter and rhyme. It is called parallelism because the meanings are written in pairs. Usually the pairs mean the same thing, but sometimes they mean the opposite. Let's take the familiar Psalm 23 as an example. In Hebrew poetry the first pair is frequently not well understood until you read the whole Psalm. I believe that is the case here.

Psalm 23

(1) The LORD is my shepherd,	I will be cared for.
I shall not want.	I will be cared for.
(2) He makes me lie down in green pastures;	He takes care of my physical needs.
He leads me beside quiet waters.	He takes care of my physical needs.
(3) He restores my soul;	He takes care of my spiritual needs.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.	He takes care of my spiritual needs.
(4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me;	I have nothing to fear.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.	I have nothing to fear.
(5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;	You bless me more than I could ever have hoped or expected.
You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.	You bless me more than I could ever have hoped or expected.
(6) Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,	God will love me forever.
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.	God will love me forever.

Notice also the parallelism within parallelism. In the first three verses the psalmist is talking to his readers, (calling God "He"), but in the final three verses the psalmist is talking to the Lord, (calling God "You"). Note also that the first and last verses are similar in meaning. The second and fifth verses talk about physical comfort. The third and fourth verses mention travel. This is Hebrew poetry – patterns in the meanings rather than the sounds. If you look for and find these patterns as you read the Psalms, it will help your understanding, and make you more able to enjoy the beauty of the poetry.

Psalm 1 has some intricate patterns. In addition to the normal parallelism it has some triple parallelism and some contrasting parallels - i.e. opposite in meaning instead of the same in meaning.

Psalm 1

(1) How blessed is the man	Triple parallelisms
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,	Does not go the way of evil people
Nor stand in the path of sinners,	Does not go the way of evil people
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!	Does not go the way of evil people

(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD,	He loves God's law
And in His law he meditates day and night.	He loves God's law

(3) He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,	Triple parallelisms
Which yields its fruit in its season	He thrives
And its leaf does not wither;	He thrives
And in whatever he does, he prospers.	He thrives

Contrasting parallel to verse 3 and triple parallel with self
(4) The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.	The evil ones do not go to heaven
(5) Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,	The evil ones do not go to heaven
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.	The evil ones do not go to heaven

Contrasting parallel with self
(6) For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,	The good ones are preserved
But the way of the wicked will perish.	The evil ones die

Notice how the first part of verse 6 parallels verse 3 and the second part of verse 6 parallels verses 4 & 5.

Most of Job is Hebrew poetry. Here is an example.

Job 4:1-6 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered,

(2) If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient?	I need to speak to you
But who can refrain from speaking?	I need to speak to you
(3) Behold you have admonished many,	You words have helped others
And you have strengthened weak hands.	You have helped others
(4) Your words have helped the tottering to stand,	You words have helped others to stand
And you have strengthened feeble knees.	You have helped others to stand
(5) But now it has come to you, and you are impatient;	You can dish it out, but you can not take it
It touches you, and you are dismayed.	You can dish it out, but you can not take it
(6) Is not your fear of God your confidence,	Don't you believe in your righteousness?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?	Don't you believe in your righteousness?

Notice how the structure of 3 and of 4 parallel each other.

Most of Proverbs is Hebrew poetry. Here is an example.

Proverbs 3:1-8 (1) My son,

do not forget my teaching,			Remember what I am telling you (mentally)
But let your heart keep my commandments;			Remember what I am telling you (emotionally)
(2) For length of days and years of life			It will help you have a longer life (notice the parallel within the parallel - days and years
And peace they will add to you.			It will help you have a longer life (lack of warfare gives you better chance of survival)
(3) Do not let kindness and truth leave you;			Parallel to verse 1
Bind them around your neck,			Connect them to you closely (external)
Write them on the tablet of your heart.			Connect them to you closely (internal - contrast to external)
(4) So you will find	favor and	In the sight of God and man.	You will look good to God and man
	good repute		You will look good to God and man
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart			Trust God completely
And do not lean on your own understanding.			Trust God completely (by contrast)
(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him,			Do things God's way	Notice how the first part of 6 parallels verse 7 and the second part parallels verse 8. Compare 6-8 with 1 and 2.
And He will make your paths straight.			It will be good for you
(7) Do not be wise in your own eyes;			Do things God's way
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.			Do things God's way
(8) It will be healing to your body			It will be good for you
And refreshment to your bones.			It will be good for you

The parallel between 1&2 with 6-8 might define a stanza of the poem, opening and closing with the same idea. The proverbs between the two also seem to support the same general idea.

Some of Ecclesiastes and most of Song of Solomon is Hebrew poetry as well. Other Bible books have sections of Hebrew poetry. You will even find it in the New Testament.

Look at 1^st John 2:12-13. Even though John wrote in Greek, he apparently was still thinking in terms of Hebrew poetry.

(12) I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.	(13a) I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning	(13b) I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one
(13c) I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.	(14a) I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning	(14b) I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

It is interesting that this passage is also in the form or Greek poetry, which similar to English, was about sound and rhythm.

1^st John 1:5-10 is also a very pretty piece off Hebrew poetry. Why don't you try to analyze it yourself?

Two more examples from the New Testament:

Romans 12:4-6a:

(4) For as we have many members in one body,	All are joined together
and all members have not the same office:	Each has something unique to offer
(5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.	All are joined together
(6) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,	Each has something unique to offer

Philippians 2:6-11 is another passage that is both Hebrew and Greek poetry. It is thought by scholars to be one of the first Christian hymns.

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;	Christ humbled Himself
7 rather, he made himself nothing	Christ humbled Himself
by taking the very nature of a servant,	He took on a humble form
being made in human likeness.	He took on a humble form
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—	He was obedient even to death
even death on a cross!	He was obedient even to death
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place	God exalted Jesus Christ
and gave him the name that is above every name,	God exalted Jesus Christ
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,	Jesus the Lord, will be worshiped everywhere by everyone
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.	Jesus the Lord, will be worshiped everywhere by everyone

Notice the triplet in verse 10 - in heaven - on earth - under the earth.

Notice the parallelism between verses 6 and 11.

More examples from Psalms:

Psalm 100

Passage	Parallel Meanings
(1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.	Gladly worship God out loud
(2) Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.	Gladly worship God out loud
(3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us,	God made us
and not we ourselves;	God made us
we are his people,	We belong to Him
and the sheep of his pasture.	We belong to Him
(4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,	Come before Him to worship Him
and into his courts with praise:	Come before Him to worship Him
be thankful unto him,	Continue to worship Him
and bless his name.	Continue to worship Him
(5) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;	God is good now and forever
and his truth endureth to all generations.	God is good now and forever

Other Parallelisms:

Verses 1, 2 and 4 are about worshipping God.

Verses 3 and 5 bring out the idea of his eternal love. He made us in the past, He is good to us now, and will always be good to us.

Verse 1 and 3 speak to Him being God of everyone, not just the Jews.

First five verses of Psalm 105

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD,	Talk to God
call upon His name;	Talk to God
Make known His deeds among the peoples. 2 Sing to Him,	Sing to God - Brag about God
sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.	Sing to God - Brag about God
3 Glory in His holy name;	Be happy in God
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.	Be happy in God
4 Seek the LORD and His strength;	Look for God
Seek His face continually.	Look for God
5 Remember His wonders which He has done,	Remember His Miracles
His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,	Remember His Miracles

Psalm 121

(1) I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

God will hear my prayers and will protect me from heaven, not letting any harm come to me.

(2) My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

(3) He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

God will never leave our side, always be there. Always being watched, protected, at all times. Never being left alone.

(4) Behold, He who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

(5) The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

Always under our Lord's protection 24-7, protecting us with His love, power.

(6) The sun will not smite you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

(7) The LORD will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

Making sure that we remain faithful in Him. Not letting Evil win over our Spirits. Protection. Being blessed through all we do in His Name. Always praising Him all our lives.

(8) The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever.

Other Parallelisms: Verses 1 & 2 talk about help from above contrasting 5 & 6 talking about harm from above. There was a pair of ideas in every other verse – "heaven & earth," "slumber & sleep," "sun & moon," and two in the final verse "going out & coming in" and "this time forth & forever."

Psalm 82

1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty;	God is among the greatest
he judgeth among the gods.	God is among the greatest
2 How long will ye judge unjustly,	How long will you hold kangaroo court?
and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.	How long will you hold kangaroo court?
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.	Take care of the weak, give them justice
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.	Take care of the weak, give them justice
5 They know not,	They do not understand righteousness
neither will they understand;	They do not understand righteousness
they walk on in darkness:	All is lost
all the foundations of the earth are out of course.	All is lost
6 I have said, Ye are gods;	The chosen people are all God’s people
and all of you are children of the most High.	The chosen people are all God’s people
7 But ye shall die like men,	Everyone dies
and fall like one of the princes.	Everyone dies
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth:	God, please come set everything right
for thou shalt inherit all nations.	God, please come set everything right

Other Parallelisms: Notice how most of the verses have both sides of the parallelisms, but 3 & 4 parallel each other and verse 5 has two complete parallelisms within it. You have to ignore the verse numbers.

Habakkuk Parallelism

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