Bible Concepts: Books of Poetry

The questions on Bible concepts, facts and trivia review the material covered in this lesson. To get the most out of your study, you may wish to write out the answers. However, we ask that you do not send your answers to us for grading. They are for your personal use only.

This section reviews the major concepts and the general story flow of the books of Psalms through the Song of Songs. Please refer to hyperlinks after each question to verify your answers.

Psalms

1) What does the word Psalms mean? Exploring Psalms

2) How is the book of Psalms divided? Exploring Psalms

3) What does the book teach us about God? Exploring Psalms

4) How does the book apply to your life today? Exploring Psalms

5) Why are there so many types of psalms? How can the different types help us in our prayers? When You Talk to God

6) What purposes do the psalm superscriptions serve? When You Talk to God

7) What lessons can we learn from the hymns of praise? When You Talk to God

8) What do the songs of thanksgiving teach us? When You Talk to God

9) What does the term selah denote? When You Talk to God

10) How was music used in ancient Israel? Music In Ancient Israel

11) What instruments were used during those times? Music In Ancient Israel

12) What is the key to biblical poetry? The Key to Biblical Poetry

13) What are the two main elements in the prayer of petition? Thematic Collections

14) What is the characteristic feature of the imprecatory psalms? Thematic Collections

15) What can we learn from the prayers of petition? Thematic Collections

16) Why do we often find mood changes within a prayer of petition? Thematic Collections

17) What themes are emphasized in the royal psalms? Types of Psalms

18) What do the Yahweh-Kingship psalms emphasize? Types of Psalms

20) What is the message of the songs of confidence? Types of Psalms

21) What is the characteristic feature of the acrostic psalms? Types of Psalms

22) What is the purpose of the wisdom psalms? Types of Psalms

23) Why is Psalm 23 one of the best-loved passages in all the Bible? The Lord Is My Shepherd

24) What metaphors are used in Psalm 23? The Lord Is My Shepherd

25) How do Psalms 113 – 118 give praise to God? Thematic Collections

26) What is the purpose of Psalm 119? Thematic Collections

27) How did the Psalms influence the New Testament writers? Psalms In Praise and Worship

28) How have the Psalms influenced Christian worship through the ages? Psalms In Praise and Worship

29) What are the chief features of the Songs of Ascents? Thematic Collections

30) During what festival were the sukkoth used? Thematic Collections

31) How does the book of Psalms conclude? Thematic Collections

32) What do several of the psalms prophesy about Jesus Christ? Psalms in the New Testament

33) How can the Psalms help you express your own thoughts in prayer to God? Psalms Can Help You Pray

PROVERBS

1) What is the purpose of wisdom literature? Exploring Proverbs

2) What does the book of Proverbs teach us about God? Exploring Proverbs, section 4

3) How does the book apply to your life today? Exploring Proverbs, section 6

4) From what standpoint is the book of Proverbs written? Words of Wisdom

5) What are the benefits of wisdom? How are wisdom and folly portrayed?Words of Wisdom

6) Apart from giving sound advice, what else does Proverbs teach? Words of Wisdom

7) What purpose do formal structures such as alphabetizing poems serve in Proverbs? Words of Wisdom

8) What seven things are detestable to God? Words of Wisdom

9) What is the result of adultery? What metaphors are used to portray this result? Words of Wisdom

10) Why should we always have a respectful fear of God? Words of Wisdom, part 2

11) What writing instruments were used by the ancient Hebrews? Words of Wisdom, caption

12) What do the proverbs say regarding wealth and poverty? What do they say about the value of work? Words of Wisdom, part 2

13) What varied functions did the scribes perform in the ancient Near East? Words of Wisdom, caption

14) What do the proverbs say about correction and reproof? Words of Wisdom, part 2

15) What can we learn from Proverbs about how to use the tongue? Words of Wisdom, part 2

16) What do the proverbs say about gossip and talebearing? What do they say about lying and boasting? Words of Wisdom, part 2

17) What observations did Agur make? Words of wisdom, part 2

18) What was Lemuel taught by his mother? Words of Wisdom, part 2

19) What is the character of the Proverbs 31 woman? How can this portrait inspire women of today? Portrait of a Godly Woman

20) Does Proverbs 31 apply only to married women? Portrait of a Godly Woman

21) Why is Proverbs 1:10-19 a matter of life and death? Letter from Death Row

Ecclesiastes

1) What does the word Ecclesiastes mean? Exploring Ecclesiastes

2) What is the special emphasis of Ecclesiastes? Exploring Ecclesiastes, section 3

3) What are the limits of wisdom? Exploring Ecclesiastes, section 3

4) What does the book teach us about God? Exploring Ecclesiastes, section 4

5) What can Ecclesiastes teach us about work? Exploring Ecclesiastes, section 5

6) How does the book apply to your life today? Exploring Ecclesiastes, section 6

7) What was Solomon’s thesis in Ecclesiastes? Ecclesiastes: Voice of Experience

8) What were Solomon’s reflections upon his life? Voice of Experience

9) What does Solomon say about death? What conclusions does he draw from the brevity of life? Voice of Experience

10) What does Ecclesiastes say about time and seasons? Voice of Experience

11) How does Solomon continue his discussion of death? Voice of Experience

12) What further observations and reflections does Solomon make? Voice of Experience

13) How does Solomon conclude his bitter presentation? Voice of Experience

14) What can we conclude from Solomon’s recorded experiences? Voice of Experience

15) What was wrong with Solomon’s approach? The Limits of Wisdom

16) How does the New Testament go beyond Solomon’s teaching? href="http://www.gci.org/bible/poetry/limits"The Limits of Wisdom

Song of Songs

1) What have been the traditional Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Song of Songs? Exploring the Song of Songs, section 3

2) What interpretation do contemporary scholars emphasize? Exploring the Song of Songs, section 3

3) What does the book teach us about God? Exploring the Song of Songs, section 4

4) What does the book teach about sexual love? Exploring the Song of Songs, section 5

5) How does the book apply to your life today? Exploring the Song of Songs, section 6

6) Which New Testament scriptures help us better understand Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise

7) What is the purpose of garden imagery in Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise

8) How is beauty conveyed in Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise

9) What can the book teach us about esteem? A Lover's Paradise

10) What other lessons can husbands and wives learn from Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise

11) What can Song of Songs teach us about our relationship with God? A Lover's Paradise

12) What is the significance of myrrh, nard and cinnamon in Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise, caption

13) What do lilies and pomegranates represent in Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise, caption

14) How do the metaphors in the song to the Shulammite work? A Lover's Paradise

15) What is the tone of the poetic description in Song of Songs? A Lover's Paradise

16) How do the lovers praise each other in this book? A Lover's Paradise

17) How does Song of Songs foreshadow our ultimate relationship with Christ?A Lover's Paradise