maxims of heavenly wisdom
embodied in the book of Proverbs will make all who study them, believe
them, and obey them, prosperous in this life and happy in the life to
come. This contrast between the great Hebrew poets might be carried
through the whole galaxy, but the above hints must suffice.

_Diversity of themes_ often coincides with difference in the character
of the poets. Where the theme is the same, each writer will still pursue
his own peculiar method. If that theme be the vengeance of God on the
wicked, the style will naturally be rugged and abrupt. Yet the
ruggedness and abruptness of David will not be that of Hosea or Nahum.
But where both the theme and the character of the poet differ, there the
diversity of style becomes very striking. To illustrate this, take the
two following passages:

DAVID. NAHUM

GOD'S FAVOR TO THE RIGHTEOUS. GOD'S VENGEANCE ON THE WICKED

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall The mountains quake at him, and
not want. He maketh me to lie the hills mels, and the hearth is
down in green pastures: he leadeth burned at his presence, yea, the
me beside the still waters. He world, and all that dwell therein.
restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in Who can stand before his
the paths of righteousness for his indignation? and who can abide in
name's sake. Yea, though I walk the fierceness of his anger? his
through the valley of the shadow of fury is poured out like fire, and
death, I will fear no evil: for the rocks are thrown down by him.
thou art with me; thy rod and thy The Lord is good, a strong hold in
staff they comfort me. Thou the day of trouble; and he knoweth
preparest a table before me in the them that trust in him. But with
presence of mine enemies: thou an overrunning flood he will make
anointest my head with oil; my cup. an utter end of the place thereof,
runneth over. Surely goodness and and darkness shall pursue his
mercy shall follow me all the days enemies. Nahum 1:5-8
of my life; and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord for ever.
Psa. 23.

The passage from Nahum is like a pent-up mountain stream leaping from
precipice to precipice. The psalm is like the same stream escaped to the
plain, and winding its way gently and placidly through green meadows and
shady groves vocal with the songs of birds. This subject might be
pursued to an indefinite extent. Suffice it to say that Hebrew poet