Wisdom Literature

The Purpose of Wisdom Literature

It is basically a how to focus on happiness
and success. It is based on:
The experience of previous generations
Cause and effect relationships in life.
A way to pass on truth and train the next
generation.
OT wisdom sees the Covenant God behind all
of life.
It is to reflect prophetic events
 Structure of Wisdom Literature
Synonymous-the lines express the same thought in
different words
Ps. 3:1; 49:1; 83:14; 103:3; Is. 1:3; Amos 5:24

Antithetical-the lines express opposite thoughts by

means of contrast or stating the positive and the
negative
Ps. 1:6; 90:6; Prov. 10:1; 15:1; 19:4
Synthetic-the next two or three lines develop the
thought
Ps. 1:1-2;19:7-9; 29:1-2
 Psalms
Compilation date uncertain
Authors or Composers
David 73
Sons of Korah 11
Asaph 12
Solomon 2 (72, 127)
Herman the Ezrahite 1 (88)
Ethan the Ezrahite 1 (89)
Moses 2 (90, 91?)
Jeduthun 3 (39)
 Division of the Psalms

Psalms Number
Book I 1-41 41
Book II 42-72 30
Book III 73-89 16
Book IV 90-106 16
Book V 107-150 43
 Types of Psalms
Psalms of Praise 16
Psalms of the
Revelation of God 11
Psalms of Thanksgiving 16
Psalms of Lament 59
 Types of Psalms
Psalms of Trust 11
Psalms of Wisdom 6
Psalms of Worship and
Zion 21
Royal Psalms 10
 Classification+of+the+Psalms+
Classification++
I.#Psalms#of#Praise#
II.#Psalms#of#the#Revelation#of#God#
A.#In#Nature#
B.#In#the#Law#
C.#In#History#
D.#In#His#Attributes#
III.#Psalms#of#Thanksgiving#
A.#Individual#Psalms#of#
Thanksgiving#
B.#National#Psalms#of#
Thanksgiving#
IV.#Psalms#of#Lament#
A.#Individual#Psalms#of#Lament#
B.#Community#Psalms#of#
Lament#
V.#Psalms#of#Trust#
VI.#Psalms#of#Wisdom#
VII.#Psalms#of#Worship#and#Zion#
VIII.#Royal#Psalms#
#
Psalm+
8,#33,#81,#95,#103,#111,#113,#115,#117,#1457
150#
#
29,#104#
19,#119#
46,#78,#105,#106,#114,#136#
139#
#
18,#30,#32,#34,#40,#66,#92,#116,#118,#138#
65,#67,#75,#76,#100,#107#
#
3,#577,#9,#10,#13,#14,#17,#22,#25,#26,#28,#35,#
36,#38,#39,#41743,#51757,#59,#61,#64,#68771,#
77,#86,#88,#102,#109,#1407144#
12,#44,#50,#58,#60,#74,#79,#80,#82,#83,#85,#90,#
94,#108,#137#
4,#11,#16,#23,#27,#31,##62,#63,#91,#121,131#
1,#37,#49,#73,#112,#133#
15,#47,#48,#84,#87,#93,#96799,#120,#1227130,#
134#
2,#20,#21,#24,#45,#72,#89,#101,#110,#132#