  SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE. MISCELLANEOUS BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
1. Psalms, Book of: "This collection of sacred poetry received its name, in consequence of the lyrical character of the pieces of which it consists, as intended to be sung to stringed and other instruments of music. The word is thus aptly defined by Gregory of Nyssa. The Hebrew title signifies hymns or praises, and was probably adopted on account of the use made of the collection in divine service, though only a part can be strictly called songs of praise, not a few being lamentations and prayers. (Cycl. of Biblical Literature, Kitto, p 377.) 2. Authors of the Psalms: "Many of the ancients, both Jews and Christians, maintained that all the Psalms were written by David; which is one of the most striking proofs of their uncritical judgment. So the Talmudists; Augustine, who is never a good critic; and Chrysostom. But Jerome, as might be expected, held the opinion which now universally prevails. The titles and the contents of the Psalms most clearly show that they were composed at different and remote periods, by several poets, of whom David was only the largest and most eminent contributor." (Cycl. of Biblical Literature, Kitto, p. 580.) 3. Character of the Psalms. "The distinguishing feature of the Psalms is their devotional character. Whether their matter be didactic, historical, prophetical, or practical, it is made the ground or subject of prayer, or praise, or both. The doctrines of theology and precepts of pure morality are here inculcated. God's nature, attributes, perfections, and works of creation, providence, and grace, are unfolded." (Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, p. 345.) 4. Song of Solomon, or Canticles, called in Hebrews the Song of Songs (i. e. the Song of supreme excellence). Some regard it as a beautiful romance in glorification of true love. Tennyson called it "the most perfect Idyll of the faithful love of a country girl for her shepherd, and of her resistances to the advances of a great king, that ever was written." Others see in it a parable of singular depth, a revelation of the future of the Church to the end of the world." (Seventy's Bible Dictionary, p. 144.) 5. The Age when Job Lived: "Eusebius fixes it two ages before Moses, (i. e., about the time of Isaac): eighteen hundred years before Christ, and six hundred after the Deluge." (Commentary, critical and Explanatory, p. 308.) 6. Job a Real Person: "It has been supposed by some that the Book of Job is an allegory, not a real narrative, on account of the artificial character of many of its statements. Thus the sacred numbers, three and seven, often occur.. He had seven thousand sheep, seven sons, both before and after his trials; his three friends sit down with him seven days and seven nights; both before and after his trials; he had three daughters. So also the number and form of the speeches of the several speakers seem to be artificial. The name of Job, too, is derived from an Arabic word signifying repentance. But Ezekiel 14:14 (cf. v. 16, 20) speaks of "Job" in conjunction with "Noah and Daniel," real persons. St. James (5:11) also refers to Job as an example of "patience," which he would not have been likely to do had Job been only a fictitious person. Also the names of persons and places are specified with a particularity not to be looked for in an allegory." (Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, p. 308.) 7. Design of the Book: "It is a public debate in poetic form on an important question concerning the divine government; moreover the prologue and epilogue, which are in prose, shed the interest of a living history over the debate, which would otherwise be but a contest of abstract reasoning. * * * * The question to be solved, as exemplified in the case of Job is, Why are the righteous afflicted consistently with God's justice? The doctrine of retribution after death, no doubt, is the great solution of the difficulty. And to it Job plainly refers in chapter 14:14, and chapter 19:25. The objection to this, that the explicitness of the language on the resurrection in Job is inconsistent with the obscurity on the subject in the early books of the Old Testament, is answered by the fact that Job enjoyed the divine vision (chapter 38:1; 42:5), and therefore, by inspiration, foretold these truths." (Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, p. 309.) 8. Proverbs: "The Hebrew title of this book is the 'Mishele,' (i. e., the maxims) 'of Solomon,' and it was in early ages, sometimes along with other similar portions of the Bible, often referred to as "Wisdom," in one instance specifically defined as the "wisdom that respects virtuous conduct"—as summarizing the teachings of wisdom in their bearing on the conduct of life. Though ascribed to Solomon, these maxims are obviously not all of his composition, or even his collection, being of very varied authorship, and the vintage of the observation and experience of many wise men at different periods of Jewish history." (Cambridge Bible Helps, p. 32.) 9. Ecclesiastes: "This title, which we receive through the Vulgate, is the translation into Greek by the LXX of the Hebrew title "Koheleth," a word which is, agreeably to Jewish tradition, rendered 'preacher,' but meant originally 'gatherer, or summoner together,' and means here one who, personifying Wisdom (for the word is feminine, as that for wisdom is), gathers men together to listen to her verdict." 10. Authorship and Date of Ecclesiastes: "This book was for long accepted as the production of Solomon, written in his old age, and intended as a warning to others against sundry delusions of which he had himself been the victim; but it is now, from internal evidence, and by almost universal consent, allowed to be the work of one who wrote about the time of Malachi (i. e., about 400 B. C.), though in the name of Solomon, and dramatically personifying the famous king." (Cambridge Bible Helps, p. 33.) Footnotes |
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