Psalms Page

Song of Solomon Page

Proverbs Page

THE PSALMS

I. The Collection and Divisions:

In all probability the book of one hundred and fifty psalms, as it now stands, was compiled by Ezra about 450 B.C.

They are divided into five books, each closing with a benediction, evidently added to mark the end of the book. Note the number of psalms in Books 1 and 2.

II. The Purposes:

1. They were originally used as songs in the Jewish Temple Worship.

2. For centuries after Christ they formed the only Christian Hymnal.

3. They have comforted and supported the troubled hearts of all believers in all ages.

III. General Characteristics:

1. They are personal. -- Number the first personal pronouns in Psalm 23. Note the frequent occurrence in others.

2. They are the expression of heart experiences. -- Note the frequent use of the words heart and soul. These Hebrew poems are largely the diaries of the inner life.

3. They express the intimate relation between God and man. -- Note in Psalms 23, 103, 139 how many the phrases which contain pronouns and words referring to both God and man.

IV. Specific Characteristics:

NOTE. -- Select a sentence from any psalm, illustrating each characteristic, and record the same in its appropriate place, giving the chapter and verse.

1. Teaching.

2. Testimony.

3. Prayer.

4. Confession.

5. Praise.

6. Exhortation.

7. History.

V. Leading Authors:

Heman, author of the 88th; Ethan, 89; Moses, 90; Solomon, 72 and 127. The sons of Korah (who were they?) wrote eleven. Examples 42 to 49. Asaph (who was he?) wrote twelve. Examples 73 to 83. David wrote seventy-three.

VI. Names of Leading Psalms

NOTE. -- Select a phrase from the psalm, or state the reason, upon which the name is based.

1. The Two Ways.

3. A Morning Hymn.

4. An Evening Hymn.

8. The Glory of the Creator in the Creature.

15. A Citizen of Zion.

16. The Blessings of the Believer.

22. A Psalm of the Cross.

23.

27. The Tonic Psalm.

32.

42. From Depths to Heights.

45. A Marriage Song.

46. A Battle Hymn.

51. A Sinner's Open Confession.

65. The Farmer's Psalm.

84.

90. The Funeral Hymn.

91. The Safety Psalm.

100. The Doxology.

103. God in Grace.

104. God in Nature.

105. God in History.

119. The Glory of the Word.

Name three peculiarities of this psalm.

121. The Traveler's Psalm.

137. The Patriot's Hymn.

139. The Psalm of Marvels.

146 to 150. The Hallelujah Psalms.

The word Hallelujah is the Hebrew for "Praise ye the Lord."

VII. The Messianic Psalms:

Study meaning and description in Bible Dictionary. Why would David be fitted to write such psalms? Note three features of these psalms: 1. Kingship.2. Unlimited rule.3. Unending dominion. Note also the basis for the following names:

2. The Victorious King.

45. The Glorious King.

72. The Helping King.

110. The Conquering King.

VIII. A Question Study on Psalm 8:

1. Explain phrase: "In all the earth."

2. From what word might it be inferred that the author was a king?

3. What three phrases indicate the shepherd life of the author?

4. What historical event may be referred to in verse 2?

5. How many heavens are mentioned?

6. What two expressions indicate the exalted position of man?

IX. An Analytic Study of Psalm 139:

1. Name carefully the marvels in the following passages:

(a) Verses 1 to 6.

(b) Verses 7 to 10.

(c) Verses 14 to 16.

(d) Verses 17 and 18.

2. The Pronouns of the First Person.

(a) Underline and count.

(b) In what verses not found?

3. The Pronouns of the Second Person. (Or word referring to God.)

(a) Underline and count.

(b) In what verses not found?

4. Select an example of as many of the seven specific characteristics as are found in this psalm.

5. Meaning of the following words or phrases: Verse 8, "Sheol." Verse 9, "wings of the morning." Verse 16, "thy book."

THE SONG OF SOLOMON

I. Author.

II. Names:

(1) Song of Solomon.

(2) Song of Songs.

(3) Canticles.

Give the meaning of each.

III. General Description:

It is probably an allegorical drama. It pictures the love of Solomon to a princess, typifying, as many believe, the love of Christ to the Church. Read Ephesians 5 and be prepared to answer questions thereon. Richard Moulton describes it as containing seven idyllic poems.

IV. Words of Explanation:

1. Its Oriental tinge must be remembered. In the Occident uncovered breasts would be an impropriety, but not in the Orient.

2. The revised version removes some questionable utterances. Compare in the two versions 1:13 and 5:14.

3. Were we less sensual we could better appreciate its beauty. The beautiful in art is greatly lost by the impurity of our fleshly nature. So the beautiful in this poem.

4. It is a poem, hence the author uses the poetic license.

5. The poem needs a division into its parts, and a naming of parts, places and speakers, for a clearer understanding. Students of the poem have made this division. The following is a sample:

1. Antechamber of Palace. -- Bride and Ladies. -- Welcome to Home. -- 1:2 to 1:8.

2. Audience Room of Palace. -- Bride: Groom: Attendants. -- First Interview. -- 1:9 to 2:6.

3. Palace Window. -- Bride: Groom. -- Serenade and Invitation. -- 2:7 to 2:17.

4. Private Chamber. -- Bride. -- Search: A dream. -- 3:1-4.

V. Phrases Worthy of Remembrance:

1. Three descriptions applied to Christ.2:1. Find two others in Chapter 5.

2. Our Lord's banner.2:4.

3. The double possession.2:10.

NOTE. -- Write these phrases in full, with locations.

PROVERBS

I. Author.

II. Derivation and Meaning of Word.

III. Literary Form and Arrangement:

1. They are arranged in masses rather than logical groups. They are poetical in form.

2. They are chiefly couplets of two kinds:

(a) Contrasted thoughts, joined usually by the connective "but." Example, 28:1.

(b) Parallel thoughts, joined usually by the connective "and." Example, 27:26.

NOTE. -- Select and record one proverb of each of the above kinds.

IV. Leading Kinds:

The proverbs may be largely classified under one of the following topics: (1) Tongue. (2) Chastity. (3) Society (4) Business. (5) Wisdom. (6) Home. (7) Character. (8) Law.

V. Select and record one proverb under each of the above topics, giving location.

VI. Outline of Contents:

1.1 to 24. The Proverbs of Solomon.

2.25 to 29. The Proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah copied out.

3.30. The Proverbs of Agur.

4.31. The Proverbs of King Lemuel.

VII. Number of Solomon's Proverbs:

1. How many proverbs did King Solomon write? See I Kings 4.

2. Find the number of his proverbs in the book. Add the number in each chapter, omitting introduction and titles.

VIII. Leading Contents:

1 to 6. Introduction.

7. The Way of the Strange Woman.

8. The Call and the Testimony of Wisdom.

23:29 to 35. The Effects of Strong Drink.

30:7 to 9. The Prayer of Agur.

31:10 to 31. The Description of a Model Woman, Wife, Mother.

IX. The Two Underlying Principles of the Book:

1. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." 1:7.

2. "A wise man will hear and increase learning." 1:5. Both are A.V. Let teacher and pupil amplify.

X. Four Chief Reasons for the Profitableness of the Proverbs:

1. They are brief, concise, epigrammatic.

2. They were born of observation and experience.

3. They were penned by the wisest man.

4. They were written by inspiration of God.

XI. Miscellaneous Questions:

1. Who were Agur, Lemuel, the men of Hezekiah?

2. Locate the proverbs that forbid one from becoming surety for another.

3. What modern evil may be spoken against in 11:26?

4. Give meaning of word wisdom, and why would this topic occupy large space in the book?

5. Select from Chapter 16 one proverb on divine guidance, one on the worth of self-control, and one on business honesty.

6. Select the three most helpful proverbs on friendship.

7. Name eight animals used in illustration, giving references, and give reasons for the author taking so many illustrations from the animal kingdom.

8. Where might the author have received the thought of 24:19 and 24:20?

9. Name the lesson for business men in 27:23.

10. In Chapter 11 mark with the letter "B" the verses whose truth may affect one's business success.