| Book | Traditional Authorship | Common Scholarly View | Date Written | Key Verse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Job | Job | Unknown Author | 6th to 4th Century B.C.E. | Job 42:2 "I know that you can do all things..." |
| Psalms | David, Asaph, Sons of Korah, Solomon | Multiple (Unknown) Authors | 10th to 5th Century B.C.E. | Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd..." |
| Proverbs | Solomon | Multiple (Unknown) Authors | 10th to 5th Century B.C.E. | Prov 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." |
| Ecclesiastes | Solomon | Unknown Author | C. 3rd Century B.C.E. | Ecc 12:13 "Fear God and keep his commandments." |
| Song of Solomon | Solomon | Unknown Author | 6th to 4th Century B.C.E. | Song 8:7 "Many waters cannot quench love..." |
- Book 18: Job
- The Book of Job delves into the themes of suffering and divine justice, narrating the story of Job, a righteous man whose faith is tested through extreme hardships. In this narrative, God allows Satan to test Job’s faith, resulting in a series of catastrophic events that include the heartbreaking loss of his children. The book also presents a series of dialogues between Job and his friends about the nature of suffering. The book concludes with a poetic discourse on the power and wisdom of God, underscoring the limitations of human understanding. (Read Job now)
- Book 19: Psalms
- Comprising 150 songs and poems, this collection expresses a wide range of emotions and themes, from praise, worship, and thanksgiving to lament and supplication. The Psalms address the human experience of God, exploring themes like faith, suffering, and God's sovereignty. They are used extensively in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic liturgies, reflecting their enduring spiritual and cultural significance. (Read Psalms now)
- Book 20: Proverbs
- Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, Proverbs is a compilation of wise sayings and instructions on leading a righteous life. These bite-sized pearls of wisdom touch on topics like character, relationships, and personal integrity. (Read Proverbs now)
- Book 21: Ecclesiastes
- Ecclesiastes presents a philosophical reflection on the meaning of life and the best way to live, voiced by a narrator called 'the Teacher.' It explores themes of vanity, the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits, and the limits of human wisdom, ultimately advocating for finding enjoyment in life's simple pleasures and fearing God. (Read Ecclesiastes now)
- Book 22: Song of Solomon
- Also known as the Song of Songs, this book is a collection of lyrical poems celebrating love and romantic desire. Within Judaism, it is often interpreted allegorically as symbolizing the relationship between God and Israel, while in Christian tradition, it is seen as a metaphor for the bond between Christ and the Church. The text vividly portrays the beauty and power of love through passionate dialogues between lovers. (Read Song of Solomon now)
