Our masters of poetry and prose have thus become the Bible"s messengers; but such also are the lesser writers and speakers of every day. The Bible words find a response that is universal; for Truth knows no chosen vessel but rather has chosen all. Story and lyric, epic and drama, alike carry onward the Bible"s messages and continue to spread their truth among all people of the English tongue.
But perhaps most precious of all the Bible"s contributions to our literature is the gift of its spirit. The creators of the best in English have shared that spirit in that their works have shared the Bible"s lofty purposes. Who so earnestly preaches the living of a life as John Bunyan in Pilgrim"s Progress? Who more resembles the Hebrew seer warning his people of their danger, than Lincoln, when with solemn prophecy he declares: ""A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free"? Carlyle calling the world to repentance, d.i.c.kens and Thackeray calling it to reform, Emerson pointing new heights for reason and faith and love, Browning proclaiming "The best is yet to be"--each in his own way seeks to bring in the Kingdom. And what is the spirit of the Bible, unless it be the spirit of a people seeking after G.o.d if haply they might find Him?
If we should study what has called out the best in men or letters in order that we may understand that best, how much more ought we to know the Bible for itself. The deep experiences of the soul are the {115} stuff of which literature is made; and in language whose appeal is alike to the wise and the simple this Book dramatizes the life of the soul. Though struggling much between right and wrong and falling often, the Old Testament heroes groped their way upward to better things, and established their belief in one G.o.d upon a firm foundation. Their story is the epic of the soul"s struggle and victory; but it is also the revelation of humanity"s past, the mirror of its present of progress and defeat, the prophecy of its triumphant future. The Psalms, in the words of Heine, collect within themselves "sunrise and sunset, birth and death, promise and fulfillment--the whole drama of humanity." Excepting only those of the New Testament literature, no authors of any land or time have seized upon truths so unchanging and so everlasting as the writers of Job and the books of the Prophets. Ignoring life"s vanities, soaring far above the things that are temporal, these writings ever summon the minds of men to dwell upon things eternal.
Finally in the literature of the New Testament the victories of faith replace the victories of war; the groping instinct of survival is justified in the Demonstration of Immortality; the Cult of the Chosen People gives way to the Gospel of Universal Brotherhood; the Omnipotent Creator is revealed also the G.o.d of Love; the Deity of Retribution and Justice becomes a Father; Man, the Child.
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QUESTIONS BRINGING OUT THE BIBLE"S LITERARY VALUE
1. The Poetry of the Bible
What is the difference between the rhythm of Hebrew poetry and that of English poetry? 11 S.A.
What three forms does this rhythm take? 12 S.A.
In the words quoted from Jesus are any of these forms used? 13 S.A.
What is the richest part of Biblical poetry? 13 S.A.
Rhythm and Feeling
What form of rhythm ill.u.s.trated on page 12 S.A.
is used in the psalms:
The Righteous Man. 19 S.A.
A Morning Prayer. 20 S.A.
A Song of Deliverance. 26 S.A.
A Song in Time of Trouble. 61 S.A.
The Cry of the Needy. 98 S.A.
Idols of Silver and Gold. 136 S.A.
Our Father. 118 S.A.
A Pilgrim Song. 156 S.A.
What two qualities, necessary to Hebrew poetry, are found in Deborah"s Song of Triumph? 54-59 T.J., 11 S.A.
What deep feeling prompted the Song of Judith? 105-107 T.J.
How can the "Song of Songs" be compared with the lyrical poetry of the Elizabethan period in England? 234-239 S.A.
The Psalms a Collection of Lyric Poetry
For what purpose was the Book of Psalms written? 17 S.A.
What is the leading theme of the Psalms? 17 S.A.
Mention some of the other themes. 17 S.A.
Name the Psalm in which every verse, it is said, contains a reference to the law of G.o.d. 505 S.A.
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In what way is Psalm 119 (143 S.A.) an alphabetic Psalm? 505 S.A.
Ruskin says that, among others, Psalms 1, 8, 15, 19, 23, 24, well studied and believed, are sufficient for all personal guidance. What principles of conduct are enjoined in:--
The Righteous Man. 19 S.A.
Little Lower than G.o.d. 22 S.A.
The Upright Man. 23 S.A.
Song of the Earth and Sky. 30 S.A.
The Good Shepherd. 35 S.A.
The Earth is the Lord"s. 36 S.A.
Ruskin says that Psalm 72 contains many principles of just government. State in modern terms some of the principles of government enjoined in "The Righteous King". 88 S.A.
Ruskin says that Psalm 104 antic.i.p.ates the triumphs of natural sciences. From the reading of the Psalm can you suggest those antic.i.p.ated? Read note 503 S.A. 120 S.A.
Compare Mana.s.seh"s prayer, 320 T.J., with the Prayer of Repentance. 75 S.A.
Can you suggest an act of David to which this Psalm is probably related? 75 S.A.
Job a Dramatic Poem
What characteristic makes Job a dramatic poem? 180 S.A.
What is the distinction between Hebrew drama, as ill.u.s.trated in Job, and the Greek and English drama? 180 S.A.
What is the central theme of the book of Job? 179 S.A.
What are the characters of the book of Job? 178 S.A.
Trace the dramatic climax in the messages brought to Job. 182 S.A.