Old Testament

Wisdom Literature

Books that provide guidance for living a godly life.

The Wisdom Books offer practical guidance for daily living, exploring profound questions about suffering, joy, meaning, and human experience. Through poetry, proverbs, and philosophical reflection, these books teach how to live skillfully and righteously in God's world.

Books in Wisdom Literature

Job

A profound exploration of human suffering and divine justice.

42 chapters

Key Events:

  • Job's Testing
  • Friends' Debates
  • Elihu's Speech
  • God's Response

Psalms

A collection of prayers, praises, and reflections expressing the full range of human emotion.

150 chapters

Key Events:

  • David's Psalms
  • Songs of Ascent
  • Messianic Psalms
  • Praise Psalms

Proverbs

Practical wisdom for godly living in everyday situations.

31 chapters

Key Events:

  • Wisdom's Call
  • Solomon's Proverbs
  • Wise Sayings
  • Virtuous Woman

Ecclesiastes

A philosophical reflection on the meaning of life and its apparent vanity.

12 chapters

Key Events:

  • Vanity of Life
  • Seasons of Time
  • Joy in Labor
  • Fear God

Song of Solomon

A poetic celebration of love between a man and woman.

8 chapters

Key Events:

  • Courtship
  • Wedding
  • Marital Love
  • Love's Strength

Key Information

Key Themes

Wisdom vs. Folly

Fear of the Lord

Meaning and Purpose

Suffering and Providence

Human Relationships