Introverted

A nested series of ideas in the form of A B C C B A, where each letter represents a similar idea. Sometimes the nesting is obvious with the terms being almost a repeat.

Psalms 124:7

Our soul has escaped

            as a bird out of the snare of the trapper;

            The snare is broken

and we have escaped.

They can also appear in a single statement.

Matthew 19:30

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Others are less obvious, while still showing a nesting of ideas.

Psalms 91:14

Because he has loved Me,

            therefore I will deliver him;

            I will set him securely on high,

because he has known My name.

Unfortunately, some introversions get lost in translations. Psalms 26:4 is typically translated as

Psalms 26:4

I do not sit with deceitful men,

Nor will I go with pretenders.

Which shows synonymous ideas clearly. But the literal Hebrews says:

“I have not sat

            with men of falsehood

            and with those concealed

not I will enter.”

Combinations of styles can also be used.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the heart of this people dull,

            And their ears heavy,

                        And shut their eyes;

                        Lest they see with their eyes,

            And hear with their ears,

And understand with their heart,

➔And return and be healed.

Here we have a nesting of three organs of the body: heart, ears, and eyes. Instead of a synonymous relationship the matching lines are antithetic. Finally the introverted series ends with a climatic statement that is the conclusion.