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Developing A Biblical World View
THE BOOKS OF POETRY
Job Through Song Of Solomon
The books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon are known as the books of poetry because they are written in poetic style. The world is an important theme in these poetic books.
In the Book of Psalms references are made to the nations and peoples more than 200 times. Expressions like "all the earth," “all the people," "all peoples," "all flesh," "everything that hath breath," "all the ends of the earth,” "all the people of the earth," "the eyes of all," and the "heathen" occur repeatedly in this book.
Psalms presents the earth as belonging to the Lord, with everything under His control (Psalms 24:1). It exalts God as the Most High over all the earth (Psalms 38:10; 97:9). It presents Him as judge of the earth (Psalms 149:7), while yet providing mercy through salvation (Psalms 119:64). The sinful condition of the nations is described in Psalms 2. In Psalms 67, the hope of salvation is extended to all nations.
The "For Further Study" section of this chapter provides a complete listing of the subject of the world as it is discussed in Psalms.
Here are some key verses from the other books of poetry:
Job l and 2: Describes the conflict raging for the heart, mind, and soul of man.
Job 9:24; 12:23; 38:1-41: Although conditions on earth are presently evil, God has not lost control of His universe.
Proverbs 2:22; 10:30; 11:31: Describe present wicked conditions on the earth.
Proverbs 14:34: Righteous and sinful nations are contrasted.
Proverbs 3:19; 8:23-31: Exalt God as Creator of Heaven and earth.
Ecclesiastes 1:4; 3:11: Present the Lord as Creator and God of the earth.
Ecclesiastes 7:20; 8:14; 10:7: Focus on the present condition of man and the world.
Ecclesiastes 12:7: Reveals the eternal nature of the spirit of man.
Ecclesiastes 3:14: Stresses the certainty of God's plan.
These verses are only examples of God's plan for the world as it is revealed in these books. See the "For Further Study" section of this chapter for additional verses about the world in the books of poetry.