Andrea Hawkins
BIB – 104
8/13/14
Scott Hovater
The Great Literary Works of Solomon
A collection of books are written by several authors, with one predominant author in each book. These collections form part of the Old Testament. Both books point the reader to God. They give us insight into God's character. Psalms is David responding to God with praise and worship. Psalms offers us a glimpse into the hearts of men who follow the living God and sought him out at some point in their lives. The book of Proverbs is full of comparisons showing us how various images illustrate the fundamental truths of life. Proverbs focus is on man's dealings with fellow man, while providing principles by which to live.
Daily the Psalms or Tehillim is recited by Jewish people collectively and individually. The Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshiper's thoughts on God in praise and adoration. It is to offer praise and thanksgiving to God in times of crisis and need, as a form of supplication, and even as a venue to express regret for sin. Psalms is a collection of sacred poems/songs. In Psalms the heart of the writer is revealed and his dependence upon God is manifest. There are several authors: Moses, David, Asaph, Solomon, Heman, Ethan, and the sons of Korah. With the exception of Solomon and Moses, all these additional authors were priests or Levites who were responsible for providing music for sanctuary worship during David's reign. Some psalm writers are anonymous. Most of the psalms were written by David. The Book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, with 150 individual psalms. It is also one of the most diverse, since the psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.
We can bring all our feelings to God. The psalmist teaches us that the most profound prayer of all is a cry for help as we find ourselves overwhelmed by the problems of life, no matter how negative or complaining they may be, and we can rest assured that he will hear and understand. Reading these Psalms can have a tranquil effect on your troubled daily life. When feeling abandoned read (Ps.10). When you are afraid look up (Ps. 46). When your world seems to be falling apart read (Ps. 46). When you feel like God has forgotten you (Ps. 139). The purpose of a proverb is to present wisdom in a short, memorable format. Proverbs are simple yet profound. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in common matters and in ordinary, everyday situations. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings. Proverbs also tells us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (1:7; 9:10). Our fear of God’s wrath and justice is what drives us to Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s wisdom as expressed in His glorious plan of redemption for mankind.
Proverbs is a book of wise sayings, many of which state principles. The many sayings were authored by either Solomon, Agur, Lemuel, or