So much of the Bible is poetry. Obviously, the Psalms, but also the vast majority of Job, and the prophets. There are songs like those Moses and Miriam sing in Exodus 15. Paul quotes what might be early Christian hymns in his letters. Is there something peculiar to poetry that makes it the preferred medium for expressing suffering? Is it made for emotion? What can poetry, and writing poetry ourselves, help us to discover about the biblical texts? Jonathan and Seth discuss poetry in this episode. We hope it inspires you to write some of your own, too.

We're glad you're with us! This book did not come up in our conversation, but Robert Alter wrote a well-known book in biblical studies called The Art of Biblical Poetry. I (Seth) would recommend it if this episode really resonates with you. And feel free to email us poems that have stuck with you. We would love to read them.