Actually, by chapters, either psalm 117 or 118 is the exact center of the bibleso psalm 119 isnt too far off. Depending on author, psalm 119 was written somewhere between 24003000 years ago. But psalm 119 also clears away any doubts we might have about the place scripture should have in the life of the believer. It has 22 stanzas because there are 22 letters in the hebrew alphabet. Having done this, we should consider the fulness, certainty, clearness, and sweetness of the word of god, since by such reflections we are likely to be stirred up to a. Gods law, that grand expression and emanation of the holiness of gods nature, and pre. The 150 individual psalms which comprise the book of psalms were written by several men under the inspiration of the holy spirit.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of great historical interest. With its christcentered vision, profound insights, and experiential focus on the heart, this is a fantastic aid to selfexamination and to. The scriptures show us what we were, what we are, and what we shall be. Moses wrote book of jobthe long years amid desert solitudes were not lost. Not only was moses gaining a preparation for the great work before him, but during this time, under the inspiration of the holy spirit, he wrote the book of genesis and also the book of job, which would be read with the deepest interest by the people of god until the close of time the signs of the. This is the purpose of ezra who wrote psalm 119 and who walks within you now in your journey of life. 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. It has twentytwo sections, each one presided over by each successive letter of the hebrew alphabet.
This psalm is a song that the hebrews sang by heart as they returned to jerusalem. Somewhere in the book of psalms at or near psalm 119. Mar 07, 2020 blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord. It says, thy word have i hid in mine heart, that i might not sin against thee. Morris was firmly grounded in gods word, and his godly life was a testament to the truth of. Ezra wrote psalm 119 to preserve the purity of the hebrew language.
This psalm is actually written as an acrostic poem. The psalm 119 experience is a devotional book focusing on psalm 119. Psalms 119 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. The psalmist serves as an example of how a christian should approach and respond to gods word. Psalm 3 which is has the title a psalm of david, when he.
First of all, it has the distinction of being the longest chapter in the bible. They show us the mercy and the justice of the lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Finally, mediation free ezra to just ask the lord for each area he needs to live fruitfully for the lord. Book of psalms psalm 119 introduction the sufficiency of scripture unique features of this psalm. God is addressed or referred to in every one of the 176 verses. Psalm 119, king james version, american edition kjva. The persecution and affliction of the man and woman of god is a major theme of psalm 119. Charles bridges spends an average of two pages per verse. For god wants to give you his spirit only through the external word 59. Psalm 119 is made up of 176 verses making it the longest psalm as well as the longest chapter in the bible. Some scholars have commented that they believe that ezra wrote psalm 119. The apostle james, who wrote after the death of christ, refers to the decalogue as the royal law and the perfect law of liberty. The author is certainly one who experienced great affliction in life, since persecution of those who hold. 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.
And the revelator, half a century after the crucifixion, pronounces a blessing upon them that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may. Philip henrys daughter wrote in her diary, i have of late taken some pains to learn by heart psalm 119, and have made some progress therein. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord. The book of psalms is in the third section of the hebrew bible, the khetuvim, and a book of the christian old testament.
Psalm 119 is made up of 176 verses making it the longest psalm as well as the longest chapter in the bible psalm 119 contains more verses than of the books in the old testament psalm 119 contains more verses than 16 of the books in the new testament psalm 119 is an abecedarian acrostic. The following psalms, in number fifteen, are called gradual psalms, or canticles, from the word gradus, signifying steps, ascensions, or degrees. It has 22 stanzas of 8 lines each giving a total of 176 verses. We do not know who wrote psalm 119, but whoever he was, he wrote that he was suffering. Mar 02, 2006 fittingly, he wrote this about psalm 119. The excellencies of gods lawaleph blessed are the undefiled in the way,who walk in the law of the lord. Psalm 119, king james version, american edition kjva the. King davids intent in writing these words is remarkable. He has been sought amid the mysterious wheels of providence. For young man, in the hebrew the word is reg naar, i. Many english versions will put the name of the hebrew letter above. Since psalm 119 is in itself a psalm solely focused on gods word, this devotional book could very well be described as a book celebrating and exalting the word of god.
John stephen, in the utterances of the 119 psalm, 1861. Two productive questions to ask of psalm 119 from the study. Interestingly, psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the bible with only two verses, while psalm 119 is the longest. When it was written is as much a mystery as who wrote it. The peculiarity of the composition consists in this that the first eight verses of the psalm begin with the first letter of the hebrew alphabet aleph. He believed in the lord who enables us to encounter the challenge and rejoice. May 21, 2012 an explanation of psalm 119 interesting facts. In fact, david only wrote about half of the psalms73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin vulgate and septuagint credit a few more to him. It is the longest chapter in the bible 176 verses it is longer than 30 entire books of the bible. The psalmist declares his design in the first verses of the psalm, keeps his eye on it all along, and pursues it to the end. Each volume is between 500 and 600 pages, with a total of 1,677 pages.
Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of some historical note. Another prominent theme in psalm 119 is the profound truth that the word of god is allsufficient. It is referred to in hebrew by its opening words, ashrei temimei derech. Psalms 119 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole bible. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm. The psalms talk about many different topics, including 1 being thankful to god and praising him, 2 being afraid, angry, and frustrated, 3 needing gods forgiveness, help, and protection, and 4 believing in god. The kjv controversy an overview see also under point v. Psalm 119 is a prayer that includes many different elements, including prayers of praise 4548, lament 8188, vindication 24, obedience 5764, and petitions for wisdom 3340. The pardoning mercy of god in christ, is the only source of a sinners happiness. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by david, ezra, or daniel. It seems to me to be a collection of davids pious and devout ejaculations, the short and sudden breathings and elevations of his soul to god, which he wrote down as they occurred, and, towards the latter end of his time, gathered out of his daybook where they lay scattered, added to them many like words, and digested them into this psalm. Containing 176 verses, psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the bible. Psalms 119, new international version niv the bible app.
Psalm 119 is generally believed to be written by david. Psalm 119 contains more verses than of the books in the old testament. The peculiarity of the composition consists in this that the first eight verses of the psalm begin with the first letter of. He has been sought among the trees, the hills, the planets, the stars. When nebuchadnezzar let the hebrew people return to jerusalem ezra went with them. Some people think that 176 different people wrote one verse each. Psalms 119 commentary charles spurgeons treasury of david. It is a lifelong process, but every stage of that growth must come from the word. A man named charles bridges, who is a church of england evangelical in the 19 th century, wrote 481 pages on psalm 119. The excellence of holiness is represented as the imme diate object of a spiritual taste and delight. 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. The jews spoke hebrew, so they wrote psalm 119 in the hebrew language. Perhaps best used as a devotional, this book is a versebyverse exposition of psalm 119 s rich tapestry with special focus on the laws spirituality. In 1539, commenting on psalm 119, luther wrote, in this psalm david always says that he will speak, think, talk, hear, read, day and night constantly but about nothing else than gods word and commandments.
Digitized by erin bensing, 2007 gordon college, wenham, ma. But, dont let the length of the chapter hinder you. Regardless of writer, psalm 119 has some very special qualities. This is more a devotional book than an expository book, but has been helpful for sermon preparation. This is an alphabetical psalm the longest, and most perfect in its kind, in the collection of psalms. Of course david had sinned against the lord greatly in his life.
His published expositions are characterised by careful preparation, systematic explanation of the text, rich illumination of its significance and a deep concern for the practical application of the biblical truth to daily living. Psalm 119 the wonder of the word psalm 119 has as its theme the word of god. The wonders of redeeming love will fix the heart in adoration of them. Spurgeon, in that book treasury of david wrote 349 pages on psalm 119. Psalms is a book, so technically, solomon wrote a fraction of a book of psalms. The godly man does not arrive at spiritual maturity instantaneously. Remember ezra faced a worldly congregation, soaked in all the worldly ways of babylon and persia. An exposition of psalm 119 by charles bridges new york. The request for god to teach the psalmist is found in ps. But, he is not the one who gets the record for the amount written about psalm 119. It is an alphabetical psalm 22 sections of 8 verses each each section begins with a different letter of the hebrew alphabet. The gift of psalm 119 psalm 119 is a gift to christians. With its christcentered vision, profound insights, and experiential focus on the heart, this is a fantastic aid to selfexamination and to fostering greater love for gods ways.
Yes, however, i think the intention of the question is how many psalms did solomon write. Perhaps best used as a devotional, this book is a versebyverse exposition of psalm 119s rich tapestry with special focus on the laws spirituality. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Psalm 119 contains more verses than 16 of the books in the new testament. I have always understood that psalm 119 is about the word of god. 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. Psalms 119 commentary albert barnes notes on the whole.
That is just about the right size for a five to seven minute session. Ezra wrote psalm 119 in short units to help the hebrew people memorize the psalm. Psalm 119 is the longest poem in the book of psalms. 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.
Psalms 119 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. A considerable portion of the sacred volume as the book of psalms and canticles in the old testament, and a large part of the several epistles in the new testament. The verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of each of the hebrew alphabet, such as aleph. This psalm, taken as a whole, is a work of towering literary craftsmanship. Jan 02, 2020 the persecution and affliction of the man and woman of god is a major theme of psalm 119. Nov 12, 2006 this is the purpose of ezra who wrote psalm 119 and who walks within you now in your journey of life. The excellencies of gods lawaleph blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord.
Ezra and the 119th psalm discover the book ministries. Psalm 119 is used in jewish tradition to celebrate rosh hashanah jewish new year. Thomas manton 162077 was one of the most outstanding of the puritan preachers in an age of pulpit greatness. What is significant about each verse of a stanza in psalm 119. I cover two verses a day one in the morning and one in the evening.
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