In the psalms, which feature helps develop the message by pairing lines?

• A. Parallelism
• B. Acrostic
• C. Chiasm
• D. Refrain

Answer: (A)

In the Psalms, parallelism is the device where lines are paired to mirror or complete each other, so the second line builds on the first to deepen the message. This creates rhythm and emphasis, and it can present a same-idea echo (synonymous), a contrast that sharpens meaning (antithetic), or a thought that is added onto the first line (synthetic). Acrostics organize lines by starting letters, not by pairing meaning. A chiastic structure arranges elements in a crosswise, mirrored order for symmetry, not primarily to develop the message through paired lines. A refrain repeats a line or phrase for emphasis, but it doesn’t inherently pair lines to develop the thought as parallelism does. So the feature that best fits “develop the message by pairing lines” is parallelism.