Insight
Parallelism is a literary tool that helps writers to creatively emphasize and clarify ideas and concepts by repeating a similar or opposite idea. In Psalm 33, the writer uses this feature of Hebrew poetry superbly to emphasize the Lord’s power and care for His people. In verse 6, God’s Word as the agent of creation is highlighted by the similar terms “word of the Lord ” and “breath of his mouth.” “Heavens” and “starry host” are also synonymous terms. Parallelism also helps in defining terms: “Let all the earth fear the Lord ; let all the people of the world revere him” (v. 8). No guesswork here about what it means to fear the Lord. It means to “revere him”; to “stand in awe” of him (esv ).
By: Arthur Jackson
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