Hebrew Poetry: Identify two different forms of parallelism from Psalm 35 and explain these instances of parallelism. By David Buck

After reading Psalm 35 several times over again, I believe that I have found two different forms of parallelism used in the psalm, as well as two figures of speech. The two different forms of parallelism that I identified are synonymous parallelism and antithetical parallelism. Psalm 35:1 displays the form of synonymous parallelism because the second stitch of the verse restates the first stitch, only in different words (see Klein Pg. 288). Psalm 35:1 says: “Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!” Here the words “contend” and “fight”, are the two different words used to make up the synonymous parallel. Psalm 35:24 displays the form of antithetical parallelism because it speaks of two opposites that share no common ground. Psalm 35:24 says: “Vindicate me, O LORD, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me!” In this verse the two opposites that make this an antithetical parallel are “LORD” and “them” (evil doers).

The two figures of speech that I identified in Psalm 35 are found in verses seventeen and twenty-five. In verse seventeen, the psalmist uses the word “lions” to describe his enemies who are not lions, but actually evil humans. The psalmist used this figure of speech to add emphasis to the nature of his enemies. In verse twenty-five, the psalmist uses the figure of speech “swallowed him up”. In fact the psalmist doesn’t literally mean to be swallowed up, but rather to be defeated. Figures of speech are typically used to provide emphasis, freshness of expression, or clarity. It is for these reasons that the psalmist chose to use figures of speech in Psalm chapter thirty five.