Wisdom for Today: The Poetry of the Bible

The poetical books of the Bible include Job, Psalms (Songs or Hymns), Proverbs (Sayings), Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. David was the primary author of the Psalms, with the help of Solomon, his son, and at least three other authors, including Asaph, sons of Korah, and Moses. Solomon was the primary author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. The author and date of Job, a story of a servant of God's faith being severely tested, is unknown, though Job likely lived around 400 B.C. before the flood, because of his long lifespan. The Psalms, a group of poetry dedicated to the true and genuine worship of God, were believed to have been written between 430 B.C. and 1410 A.D. Proverbs, a group of wise sayings, was believed to have been written between 700 B.C. and 950 B.C. Ecclesiastes, literature based on man's wisdom, was believed to have been written around 935 B.C. Song of Solomon, one of the greatest love sonnets of all time, was believed to have been written around 965 B.C.