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Definition
Antithetical parallelism occurs when two cola are set parallel, but the second colon provides a contrast to the first. This type of parallelism features prominently in wisdom literature, as a way to provide contrast between the wise and the foolish. Consider the examples below.
Example 1
For evildoers will be cut off,
But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land. (Psalm 37:9)
This is a fairly straightforward case of antithetical parallelism. The cola provide a contrast between God's treatment of "evildoers" and "those who wait for the LORD." Here is the same bicolon, arranged according to its parallelism:
For evildoers will be cut off
But those who wait for the LORD they will inherit the land
In this example, "evildoers" and "those who wait for the LORD" are parallel terms, although they express opposite subjects. In the same manner, the phrases "will be cut off" and they will inherit the land" are set in parallel to each other in order to express the opposing outcomes of the two subjects.
Since the parallelism is making an explicit contrast between the two subjects, it is appropriate to draw some conclusion about their differences. So, it could rightly be said that evildoers do not wait for the LORD. Conversely, we could say that those who wait for the LORD are not evildoers. Although, you should exercise caution when drawing inferences from the text such as these. It may be helpful to try to summarize the meaning of the entire bicolon as a single statement.
Example 2
The LORD protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow,
But He thwarts the way of the wicked. (Psalm 146:9)
This tricolon displays both synonymous and antithetical parallelism. The first two cola are synonymous, but the third colon is antithetical to the first two.
The LORD protects the strangers
He supports the fatherless and the widow
But He thwarts the way of the wicked
The verbs in the first two cola ("protects" and "supports") are similar in meaning, but the verb of the third colon ("thwarts") is directly opposite. The subject is the same in each colon ("The LORD"), but the object of the verb varies. Here, "strangers" is synonymous to "the fatherless and the widow." The Psalmist is communicating God's concern for the vulnerable/disenfranchised. Yet the third line expresses God's opposition to the wicked.
Example 3
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
This bicolon uses antithetical parallelism by contrasting "gentle answer" with "harsh word."
A gentle answer turns away wrath
But a harsh word stirs up anger