Analysis.

  I. Job’s Wealth and Affliction.  Chs. 1-2.

 II.  The Discussion of Job and His Three Friends.  Cha. 3-31.

   1.  The first cycle, 3-14.

   2.  The second cycle, Chs. 15-21.

   3.  The third cycle, Chs. 22-31.

III.  The Speech of Elihu, Chs. 32-37.

 IV.  The Addresses of God, Chs. 38-41.

   1.  The first address, 38-39.

   2.  The second address, 40-41.

  V. Job’s Restoration, Ch. 42.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The personality and malice of Satan.  Point out his false accusations against Job and God, also the signs of his power. (2) Concerning man look for evidence of:  (a) The folly of self-righteousness, (b) The vileness of the most perfect man in God’s sight, (c) The impossibility of man, by wisdom, apart from grace, finding God. (3) Concerning God, gather evidence of his wisdom, perfection and goodness. (4) Job’s disappointment in his friends. (5) Elements of truth and falsehood in the theory of Job’s friends. (6) Job’s despair of the present, his view of Sheol and his view of the future.  Does he believe in a future life or think all ends with the grave? (7) Does the book really explain why the righteous are allowed to suffer? (8) Make a list of the striking passages especially worthy of remembering.

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Chapter XIII.

Psalms and Proverbs.

Psalms.

Name.  The Hebrew word means praises or hymns, while the Greek word means psalms.  It may well be called the “Hebrew Prayer and Praise Book.”  The prevailing note is one of praise, though some are sad and plaintive while others are philosophical.

Authors.  Of the 150 Psalms, there is no means of determining the authorship of 50.  The authors named for others are David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Herman, Ethan, Moses and Solomon.  Of the 100 whose authorship is indicated, David is credited with 73, and in the New Testament he alone is referred to as the author of them.  Lu. 20:42.

Relation to the Other Old Testament Books.  It has been called the heart of the entire Bible, but its relation to the Old Testament is especially intimate.  All divine manifestations are viewed in regard to their bearing on the inner experience.  History is interpreted in the light of a passion for truth and righteousness and as showing forth the nearness of our relation to God.

The Subjects of the Psalms.  It is very difficult to make any sort of classification of the Psalms and any classification is open to criticism.  For this reason many groupings have been suggested.  The following, taken from different sources, may be of help. (1) Hymns of praise, 8, 18, 19, 104, 145, 147, etc. (2) National hymns, 105, 106, 114, etc. (3) Temple hymns or hymns for public worship, 15, 24, 87, etc. (4) Hymns relating to trial and calamity, 9, 22, 55, 56, 109, etc. (5) Messianic Psalms, 2,16, 40, 72, 110, etc. (6) Hymns of general religious character, 89, 90, 91, 121, 127, etc.