The Books of Poetry

Job

Why does evil exist

Job 1:6–12 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Psalm

The Bible song book

English Standard Version Introduction

The writing and collection of the Psalms into their present form spans the fifteenth to the third centuries B.C.

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Proverbs

The book of wisdom

English Standard Version Introduction

Practical wisdom for living is the central concern of the book of Proverbs.

English Standard Version Introduction

The book includes the work of various authors, but much of it is attributed to King Solomon. It dates from between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C.

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 3:13–14 “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.”

Ecclesiastes

A book dealing primarily with the vanity of life

Ecclesiastes 12:7 “and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

Song of Solomon

Love poems between a man and a woman.

Song of Solomon 1:1 “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.”