David the book of psalms is often ascribed to david since he was the largest single author where his name is given in the titles of 73 of the psalms e. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of some historical note. Psalm 119 the wonder of the word psalm 119 has as its theme the word of god. Depending on author, psalm 119 was written somewhere between 24003000 years ago. It equals in bulk twentytwo psalms of the average length of the songs of degrees. Study guide for psalm 119 by david guzik blue letter bible.
The entire book of psalms is traditionally read out loud or chanted at the side of the deceased during the time leading up to the. The collected psalms comprise the largest book in the bible and the most frequently quoted old testament book in the new testament. Theres a book, which i read last november, a series of ongoing podcasts, i believe, and a cd. This chapterthe longest chapter in the bibletells us many reasons. Psalm 119 will leave you longing for more and more of gods word and that is what we all need to be salt and light to the world around us. The bulk of vespers would still be composed of psalms even if the kathisma were to be disregarded. The evidence really points toward david writing psalm 119, based on the similarities of the writing style and most especially because the writer refers to justice, and judgments quite frequently, pointing to a king. Psalms 119 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by albert barnes, a dedicated student of the bible, continues to be very popular even today. Some people think that 176 different people wrote one verse each. Psalm 119, the psalm of the law, is the centerpiece of matins on saturdays, some sundays, and the funeral service. Psalm 119 is made up of 176 verses making it the longest psalm as well as the longest chapter in the bible. Ezra wrote psalm 119 in short units to help the hebrew people memorize the psalm. Other writers include moses, heman the ezrahite, ethan the ezrahite, solomon, asaph, and the sons of korah. He has been sought among the trees, the hills, the planets, the stars.
Ive been diving deep into psalm 119, and believe it along with other psalms were postexile writers, and psalm 119 in particular, may have been written by ezra. If you really love gods word, you need to set aside your excuses and get under the sound of the teaching of the word of god. Yes, however, i think the intention of the question is how many psalms did solomon write. As we look through the psalm it is possible to identify different emphases in the different sections, but that is not what i want to look at this afternoon. But if you did give that answer, youd be completely wrong. Some scholars have commented that they believe that ezra wrote psalm 119. The character of jesus embodied the character of god as revealed from genesis to malachi.
Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms and certainly the longest chapter in the bible. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm. The excellencies of gods lawaleph blessed are the undefiled in the way,who walk in the law of the lord. Each of these proposed authors suffered serious difficulties in his life, and the author of psalm 119 reflects that in descriptions of plots, slanders, and taunts against him verses 23, 42, 51, 150, persecutions verses 61, 86, 95, 110, 121, 4, 157, 161, and afflictions verses 67, 71, 143, 153. Psalm 119 is the 119th psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of great historical interest. The statutes of the lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. He believed in the lord who enables us to encounter the challenge and rejoice. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital. If we once really know the power of the gospel we must seek the god of the gospel.
The first few times i started to read i would close the book in frustration because of the. The psalmist who wrote psalm 119 had a love affair. The psalm is put to music in the book of psalms for worship, published by crown and covenant publications. Psalm 117 represents the middle out of 1189, in the bible. A man named charles bridges, who is a church of england evangelical in the 19 th century, wrote 481 pages on psalm 119. Scripture does not tell us who wrote this psalm, but many scholars believe that it was written by one of the young people taken from jerusalem in the babylonian exile. Many of the psalms are incorportated into the daily and sabbath prayers. David only all the songs in the bible infographic granted, 150 of these songs are in the book of psalms, which actually is a songbookwritten by a lot more.
If you do one verse a day this will get you through at least 12 a year. Psalm 119 contains more verses than 16 of the books in the new testament. Ezra wrote psalm 119 to preserve the purity of the hebrew language. He saw the ugly around him things like climate change and the impacts of natural disasters. First of all, it has the distinction of being the longest chapter in the bible. Containing 176 verses, psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the bible.
Perhaps best used as a devotional, this book is a versebyverse exposition of psalm 119s. A complete english version of psalm 119 from the king james bible was completed by frederick steinruck, michael misiaszek, and michael owens. Psalms 119 commentary charles spurgeons treasury of david. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by david, ezra, or daniel. I hate those who are doubleminded, but i love and treasure your law. This gem of a work is truly worth its weight in gold, as c. Psalm 119, verse 9 tells us to take heed according to gods word. Apr 8, 2018 blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord.
But even as i wrote those words, i felt the fruit falling all around me. The 150 individual psalms which comprise the book of psalms were written by several men under the inspiration of the holy spirit. Psalm 119 contains more verses than of the books in the old testament. I havent listened to all the podcasts myself, but, i thought the idea of setting all 22 stanzas to music and using them as worship songs and memorization tools fascinating.
King davids intent in writing these words is remarkable. Psalms 119 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole. The pardoning mercy of god in christ, is the only source of a sinners happiness. Those who wrote the book of psalms created songs that run the gamut of human emotion from cries for help while suffering in a severe trial to exalting gods name and praising him for his many wonderful works. There are 190 chapters in his work, more than one chapter for each verse. This psalm is a song that the hebrews sang by heart as they returned to jerusalem. Psalm 119 is the profound truth that the word of god is allsufficient. When nebuchadnezzar let the hebrew people return to jerusalem ezra went with them.
See more ideas about psalm 119, psalms and bible verses. Spurgeon, in that book treasury of david wrote 349 pages on psalm 119. We do not know who wrote psalm 119, but whoever he was, he wrote that he was suffering because of his love for gods word verses 22,5053,95,98,115. This is the purpose of ezra who wrote psalm 119 and who walks within you now in your journey of life. The book of psalms is in the third section of the hebrew bible, the khetuvim, and a. Thematically, the psalms cover a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from heavenly worship to earthly war.
It is davidic in tone and expression, and it tallies with davids experience in many interesting points. But, he is not the one who gets the record for the amount written about psalm 119. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the holy spirit, and no further. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. What is significant about each verse of a stanza in psalm 119. Read psalm 119 commentary using the treasury of david. But, dont let the length of the chapter hinder you. This psalm has a section for each letter of the hebrew alphabet, and each of the eight verses in each section begins with the hebrew letter for its section. In psalm 119, king david sings about the beauty of. There is no title to this psalm, neither is any authors name mentioned. Psalm 119, king james version, american edition kjva. The author is certainly one who experienced great affliction in life, since persecution of those who hold. In our youth our teacher called it davids pocket book, and we incline to the opinion then expressed that here we have the royal diary written at various times throughout a long life.
It is the longest psalm, and this is a sufficiently distinctive name for it. Perhaps the greatest passage that discusses the word of god is psalm 119. Study the bible online using commentary on psalm 119 and more. Although king david did not write all of the psalms, he is its most prolific author with eighty of them credited to him. You might find the website psalm 119 experience of interest. And the crucial difference between muslims and nonmuslims is whether they believe he was inspired by god to do it. Each volume is between 500 and 600 pages, with a total of 1,677 pages. I am going to take this psalm at a more simple level. Regardless of writer, psalm 119 has some very special qualities. I recommend this study of psalm 119 to both new and mature christians.
The theme of psalm 119 the theme of psalm 119 is what the word of god is and does. The jews spoke hebrew, so they wrote psalm 119 in the hebrew language. God is addressed or referred to in every one of the 176 verses. Psalms is a book, so technically, solomon wrote a fraction of a book of psalms.
For one thing, not even muslims think that muhammad wrote the quran. The word of god is a heart affecting book, and when we begin to sing its praises it soon comes home to us, and sets us praying to be ourselves. When it was written is as much a mystery as who wrote it. Psalm 3 which is has the title a psalm of david, when he. It says, thy word have i hid in mine heart, that i might not sin against thee. He has been sought amid the mysterious wheels of providence. What should we learn from psalm 119 in old testament. Today we are going to talk about one psalm in the old testament book of psalms. He started a website called awesome things which he created as a getaway from his everyday. As the vau is really only placed here on account of alphabetical requirements, its occurrence in psalm 119.
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