Lesson 8 : Poetry�Psalm 27

Helpful Books

a. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Fee & Stuart

b. Grasping God’s Word. Duvall & Hays

c. Basic Bible Interpretation. Roy B. Zuck

d. From Exegesis to Exposition. Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

e. Talk Thru the Bible. Wilkinson & Boa

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1. Prophecy is literal PROCLAMATION from God with a clear intended message to a specific situation.
1. Consider TONE
2. Consider HISTORICAL context & COVENANT context.
3. For future promises, identify the DETAILS of each promise.
4. Consider the CHARACTER of God

SUMMARY of Studying Prophets

PROPHECY VS POETRY

1. Proclamation from GOD to people.
2. Praise & Prayer from people to/about God.

POETRY PURPOSE

1. NOT *primary precision of doctrine / moral behavior
2. Heart Attitude, God-Oriented Experiences, Affections, Emotional Expression

Intellectual Maturity vs Spiritual Maturity

INTRO TO OT POETRY

1. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Songs of Songs, Lamentations
2. Prophets
3. Exodus 15 Song of Moses
4. 1 Samuel 2:1-11 Song of Hannah
5. Etc.

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Inductive Study :

Poetry 101

Step 1 : Make sure you are studying the poetry phrase by phrase.

Psalm 27:1–3 (NASB95)

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

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A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I dread?

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies,

they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me,

My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me,

In spite of this I shall be confident.

Poetry 101

Step 2 : Label basic outline & movement of thought.

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_______________________________________________ ?

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

“God is my salvation, I will not fear.”

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

V1-3 God is my salvation I shall not fear �V4-6 Seeking the blessings of God’s dwelling�V7-10 Yearning for God �V11-12 Praying for Guidance �V13 Waiting for the Lord ��

Psalm 27 - Outline

V1-3 God is my salvation I shall not fear �V4-6 Seeking the blessings of God’s dwelling�V7-10 Yearning for God �V11-12 Praying for Guidance �V13 Waiting for the Lord��

Is there any progression?

Poetry 101

Step 3: Identify the literary devices of Poetry

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*Parallelism*

Pairs+ of lines used to express & emphasize concepts.

God is my salvation, I will not fear.

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

Parallelism*

1. Synonymous Parallelism
1. Similar terms creates Rhythm, Deeper Meditation
2. Many other types of Parallels.
• Reason & Answer
• Contrast
• Etc…

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Metaphors & Analogies

Example: The wrath of God.

1. Simile = The wrath of God is like a Storm.
2. Metaphor = The wrath of God is a Storm.
3. Direct Analogy = The Storm of God punishes the wicked.

God is my salvation, I will not fear.

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

Hyperbole

A conscious exaggeration for the sake of effect

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Hyperbole *

My tears have been my food day and night ( Ps 42:3)

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

Poetry 101

You observe the literary tools of painting to VISUALIZE

Step 4: Visualize the painting & Meditate on the emotional experience of the AUTHOR.

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God is my salvation, I will not fear.

A Psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

² When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³ Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

SEEKING THE BLESSINGS OF GOD’S DWELLING

⁴ One thing I have asked from the Lord,

that I shall seek:

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That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.

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⁵ For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;

He will lift me up on a rock.

⁶ And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,

  And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

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Poetry 101

Step 5 : Summarize & meditate on the principles that the author, David, emphasizes.

Principles

Reminder that principles should be

• biblically tied to the text
• universal to all
• timeless truths.

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Moving toward application

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,

And be gracious to me and answer me.

⁸ When You said, “Seek My face,”

my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”

⁹ Do not hide Your face from me,

Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help;

Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!

¹⁰ For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up.

Observation = David said, “I cried with my voice”

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Principle =

• We should command God, like David did. ( X )
• God’s people should seek His help in times of fear.
• Contrasted to even our closest relatives, God will not abandon.

Ecclesiastes 5 (NASB95)

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.

V1-3 God is my salvation I shall not fear �V4-6 Seeking the blessings of God’s dwelling�V7-10 Yearning for God �V11-12 Praying for Guidance �V13 Waiting for the Lord��

Closing Comments on Psalm 27

Summary

Poetry Review

1. Line by Line
2. Follow the movement
3. Appreciate the Literary Devices : Parallelism, Metaphors, Hyperbole, etc.
4. Visualize Author’s experience
5. Summarize principles emphasized by author.

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NEXT WEEK

Passion WEEK!

4/23 Lesson 9 : Proverbs 3:1-10

Read : Covenant Theology Primer

1. Continue discussing Step 5: Summarize & meditate on the principles that the author, David, emphasizes. What other principles can be drawn from this Psalm?
2. Are you personally struggling with any fears / overwhelming worries? How would you pray more regularly using this psalm?
3. What does it mean to wait on the Lord? How does waiting on the Lord, build courage in our heart?
4. As you evaluate yourself, are you more intellectual or emotional? In your relationship with God has it been imbalanced? (i.e. You receive a lot of instruction well but your experiences with God are not intimate?)