Ketubim/Kethuvim (Writings): attained finalform in 1st-2nd c. AD

One third of Hebrew Bible in verse

Ancient Semitic poetry distinguished by useof rhythm and parallelism. Rhythm basedon system of stressed syllables followingthought-structure of line

Usual line structure: couplet consisting of 2stichs marked by 3 beats to each stich:

O sing to the Lord a new song/Sing to the Lord all the earth (Ps. 96, v. 1)

Sometimes 3-4 stichs to a line, and variation inrhythmic patterns; e.g. kinah (lament)meter (3 beats followed by 2):

Yet you are holy, enthroned/on the praises of Israel (Ps. 22, v. 3)

Parallelism

Synonymous parallelism:

O come, let us sing to the Lord/Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our

salvation (Ps. 95, v. 1)

Antithetical parallelism:

For the Lord watches over the way of therighteous/

But the way of the wicked will perish (Ps. 1, v. 6)

Parallelism

Synthetic parallelism:

Happy are those/Who do not follow the advice of the wicked/Or take the path that sinners tread/Or sit in the seat of the scoffers (Ps. 1, v. 1)

Book of Psalms:

In 5 books: 1-41; 42-72; 73-89; 90-106;107-150

Composite work

Korahites (Ps. 48)

Psalms “of David”

Genres of psalms (following Hermann Gunkel):

1. Hymns (praise psalms)2. Communal laments3. Individual laments4. Individual thanksgiving psalms

Also others incl. communal thanksgivingpsalms, enthronement psalms,pilgrimage psalms, wisdom psalms

Approximate categorisation

Hymns (praise psalms, e.g. Ps. 96):

1. Summons to worship God (vv. 1-3)2. Reason (vv. 4-6)3. Second summons (vv. 7-12)(4. Another reason, v. 13)

Common reasons: glory in creation (v. 5),kindness and care, steadfast love,faithfulness, power (v. 6), justice(v. 13), forgiveness

Communal laments (e.g. Ps. 74):

1. Description of disaster to attract God’sattention (vv. 4-11)

2. Celebration of God’s power (vv. 12-17)3. Imperative exhortations (vv. 18-23)

Compare Ps. 137

Individual laments (e.g. Ps. 22):

1. Complaint about situation, in which Godimplicated (vv. 1-2)

2. Petition for God’s aid (vv. 11 and 19-21)3. Reasons God should help (vv. 3-10 and

12-18)4. Statement of glad resolution (vv. 21-31)

Individual thanksgiving psalms (e.g. Ps. 30):

1. Report of unexpected trouble (v. 7)2. Report of prayer of complaint (vv. 8-10)3. Affirmation of God’s intervention (v. 11)4. Promise of praise to God (v. 12)

Presentation of God: shepherd/king motif(Ps. 23, 95, 48)

Presentation of Jerusalem (Ps. 24)

Babylonian exile (Ps. 137)