Sep 22, 2008

The Poetry in a Psalm

Have you ever tried to write a Psalm or even just thought about it? Years ago I heard a program that dug into this topic and I found it very interesting. The Psalms are actually Hebrew poems that follow certain rules of poetry and there are a variety of styles too. It is also a prayer in the form of a poem.


I thought it would be fun to look into it and learn to wrtie a Psalm. I noticed that a number of Psalms were acrostic poems where each line or verse begins with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Psalm 34 and Pslam 25 are two examples of this. I thought this might be a good style to begin with, only using the English alphabet. Then I realized that wasn't the style but the way it was implemented so I needed to make some adjustments. Fortunately it wasn't too far off the mark.

The style I did use is called Synonomous parallelism. In this style the expression of the first line is repeated in the second.

e.g. Psalm 24:1
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness of it,
the world and they that dwell in it."
(Parallel terms share the same emphasis)
The second line often focuses the first line. i.e. "they that dwell in it" is more specific than "the fullness of it."

I'm not much of a poet but I did spend time with God in a new way while doing this.

I will post again with new Psalms in the various styles. Try it yourself. Write a Psalm in the Synonomous parallelism style and post it on your blog. It doesn't have to be an acrostic poem. Be sure to come back and let me know, I would love to read it.

Edie's Psalm




Edie

19 comments:

Kathryn said...

Edie, that's beautiful! It gives me a new appreciation for the Psalms ... and for the Lord Who Divinely inspired their scribes!

Stephanie said...

Lovely words and deep thoughts, Edie. You've inspired me to try my hand at this...we shall see how it goes. :)

Kelly said...

Edie - that was just wonderful! Inspiring, great, fabulous! You are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

Wow, Edie. This is amazing.

I have re-written Psalm 23 before and made it specific to a certain attribute of the Father, but never have I done anything like this!

I can see how much Scripture you have hidden in your heart by reading this, too, by the way. *wink*

Edie said...

Oh my goodness, you are all very kind.

Leaon Mary said...

I love it Edie!
This is the second time today, I read about doing this! wow!
Might try it myself sometime.
Blessings my friend!
Lea
I like how your words are in purple, and Gods in red ;)

Angela said...

Your psalm is beautiful! I will have to do this when I get some time to put thought into it! Hope your week is off to a great start! I am praying for your job situation!
Love,
Angela

My ADHD Me said...

Wow! That was awesome!
I don't think you realize the extent of your talent.
I am SO impressed!....really, I am!

Karen Hossink said...

Great job, Edie! I love the Truth in each line.
I have written a psalm before, but not with any particular style - like the acrostic or parallel thing-y. It's been a while and now you've got me wanting to go search for it...
BTW, there is no difference between mantis and mantid. It's just easier to make "mantid" plural. I honestly don't know if the official way to make mantis plural is by changing the s to d and adding an s, or if it should really be "manti." Anyway, I have seen "mantids" and that's the way I say it now.

Kathie said...

Great poem !!! you are amazing with your talents!

Nancie said...

Edie, I love the book of Psalms as they are very encouraging. Thank you for sharing this lovely poem with us. You are very gifted in your writing. May God continue to bless you as you serve Him using the gifts He has given you. Thanks for your encouraging comment on my blog. Take care and have a blessed day!

My ADHD Me said...

I beat the bubbles!
I beat the bubbles!
I beat the bubbles!

I realized, of course that the LOWER the score when you win is probably better than higher so I don't think I won in that category. My score.... (drum roll) ......165,960!

Also, didn't do it in one day. Thank goodness for the minimize button!!

P.S. Pretty cool watching a whole page of red bubbles just disappear.
And thank goodness that is over!! or is it?

Runner Mom said...

Wow! Your post is aweosme and so thought provoking! I have never tried this! Sounds like a great challenge!! I'll keep you posted!

Hugs,
Susan

Debra said...

It made me teary eyed, I loved it. Thank you...
Debra

Edie said...

Again I think you are all very kind but I'm looking forward to reading your Psalms as you write them.

ADHD-Jo - YAY FOR YOU!!!!!!

My ADHD Me said...

You said the higher score is better because of perserverance, I said the lower score is better because it was done more accurately the first time.
I'll change it...WE WON!!

My ADHD Me said...

BTW, this Rhonda person, is she your alter ego (like Dr Jekle and Mr Hyde) or (Bruce Wayne and Batman). Or just an imaginary sidekick...?
Or is she just another one of your computer challenged friends, like myself?

Kelly said...

Almighty God
Beloved
Create in me a clean heart
Do not turn your face from me
Excellent Most High
Father
Giver of all things
Holy, holy, holy
Immanuel - God with us
Jehovah,
Knowledge comes only from You.
Lover of my soul,
My Redeemer,
Never leave me, never forsake me.
Open my heart to your word.
Prince of Peace
Quiet my mind, so I hear only you.
Restore me.
Save me from my sins, O Lord.
Teach me your ways, that they may be mine.
Understanding only comes from you.
Vanish not from me, but stay with me.
Whether in want or plenty let me be satisfied in you.
Xcellent are you are God.
Yahweh - I AM
Zephyr - Your voice whispers.

Edie said...

CK - You did it! Very good too. I like that you chose Yahweh for "Y".