Parallelism
Parallelism = the correspondence of words or ideas in successive lines of a poem
Parallelism is the organizing principle of most biblical Hebrew poetry.
There are four main types of parallelism:
Synonymous Parallelism
The second line says the same thing as
the first, but in a different way
Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Give glory, all you peoples! (Ps 117:1)
You formed my inmost being;
you knit me in my mother’s womb. (Ps 139:13)
But he was pierced for our sins,
crushed for our iniquity. (Is 53:5)
Rejoice, O youth, while you are young
and let your heart be glad in the days of
your youth. (Eccl 11:9)
Comparative Parallelism
The two lines are a comparison
As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the LORD has compassion on those who fear
him. (Ps 103:13)
As dogs return to their vomit,
so fools repeat their folly. (Prv 26:11)
As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another. (Prv 27:17)
Like a lily among thorns,
so is my beloved among women. (Song 2:2)
Contrasting Parallelism
The second line contrasts with the first
The LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.
(Ps 1:6)
Lazy hands make a man poor,
but diligent hands bring wealth. (Prv 10:4)
I had heard of you by word of mouth,
but now my eye has seen you. (Job 42:5)
Though the grass withers and the flower wilts,
the word of our God stands forever. (Is 40:8)
Formal Parallelism
The second line completes
or continues the first
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth.
(Ps 31:6)
The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom. (Prv 9:10)
A man who has the habit of abusive language
will never mature in character as long as he
lives. (Sir 23:15)
The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack. (Ps 23:1)