Ancient Yahwistic poetry is a particularly tempting field of study. In this small body of literature are preserved the oldest and most creative expressions of Israel's faith. This study of ancient Yahwistic poetry by Frank Moore Cross Jr. and David Noel Freedman untangles some of the serious textual difficulties and linguistic obscurities that have been a challenge to students of the Hebrew Bible for many generations.

The result of a joint doctoral dissertation originally submitted in 1950 and published in 1975, this volume has withstood the test of time; it offers analysis and conclusions regarding the Old Testament's Yahwistic poetry that remain as innovative and authoritative today as they were almost fifty years ago. Following an important introduction to the study of Yahwistic poetry, the book focuses in detail on "The Song of Miriam" (Exodus 15), "The Blessing of Jacob" (Genesis 49), "The Blessing of Moses" (Deuteronomy 33), and "A Royal Song of Thanksgiving" (2 Samuel 22 = Psalm 18). This edition also includes new prefaces by Cross and Freedman that give their present perspectives on this classic work in biblical studies.