Comparing The Psalms And The Book Of Isaiah

Alex Doche

Second Paper

April 17, 2017

The Bible consists of a large variety of literary devices in the readings. This creates a distinct

type of writing for each book that is in the Bible. Even though there are unique styles used by

the writers, there are similarities that can be see with each other. Between the Psalms and the

Book of Isaiah there are many examples of metaphors and uses of other poetic language that the

authors used to better relate to the reader.

One family of metaphors used in these books is references to nutrition and things needed to

survive like bread and water. More specifically, the reference to water is used on many different

occasions throughout the books. Water is one of the most used …show more content…
(Isa. 5:13)”. This means that the “honorable men” have

neither bread nor water. In this specific example bread and water represent the knowledge of

god. They have gone into captivity either under Assah or Satan because of their lack of

knowledge or ignorance. Another way in which Isaiah uses a metaphor of water is “I will lay it

waste, that vineyard. It shall not be pruned, neither digged, But there shall come up briers and

thorns. I will command the clouds that they not rain. For the vineyard of the Lord is the house of

Israel, And the men of Judah, his pleasant plant.” Isaiah uses the vineyard to represent Israel. In

this context, Isaiah is referring to “pruning” and “digging” as the Lord withdrawing his guidance

to the men of Judah. The plants may become “briers” and “thorns” which is an undesirable

plant to be. Isaiah is explaining that without the “water,” or knowledge and trust in god, the

men of Judah will not grow and live to their full potential.

A third example of water as a metaphor in the Book of Isaiah is in the text “No one will harm

or destroy on My entire holy mountain, for the land will be as full of the knowledge of the …show more content…
Through the verses of the Book of

Psalms, the word is used to mean even more things. For example, it says in Psalms 23:2 “He

takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water.” This verse explains how God guides

his followers through life into the better places that people want to be at. In this instance the

water is considered a good thing because it is refreshing. The physical description that is given

should not be taken literally though. The physical appeal that can be visualized is important

because it is supposed to be used to relate on a spiritual level. The beautiful scene that is

described is what God can guide his followers to on a spiritual level.

The word bread is also used in the Book of Psalms for metaphorical purposes. An example of it

being used is shown in Psalm 102:4, where it says “My heart is smitten, and withered like grass;

so that I forget to eat my bread.” In this verse, the man has a heart that has been worn down and

suffering. Just like withered grass, the heart has lost its enthusiasm and joy. His heart is in such

a bad state that he has forgotten to eat his bread, which really means that he is no

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