When nebuchadnezzar let the hebrew people return to jerusalem ezra went with them. There is no title to this psalm, neither is any authors name mentioned. Persecution and suffering in the life of a follower of gods law is a major theme of psalm 119. He will never forget what he has learned of the things of god. Boasting 176 verses, psalm 119 also happens to be the longest chapter in the entire bible. The book of psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns that focus the worshipers thoughts on god in praise and adoration. Get out of my life, evildoers, so i can keep my gods commands. 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. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. He has been sought amid the mysterious wheels of providence.
Perhaps our next series will be a verse by verse study of the book of isaiah only 66 chapters. Study guide for psalm 119 by david guzik blue letter bible. Many, including scholars, simply do not believe the bible and use varying hypothesises to discredit what it says. Some psalms name their author in the first line or title. Youngs concordance provides additional definitions. Psalms 119 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. These we have come to know and to keep by feeling the smart of the rod. Who wrote the psalms, the greatest collections of songs, prayers and poetry ever put together.
Aug 23, 2017 according to the pattern recorded in psalm 119, this should be the response of every christian to the word of god. According to the pattern recorded in psalm 119, this should be the response of every christian to the word of god. It is davidic in tone and expression, and it tallies with davids experience in many interesting points. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by david, ezra, or daniel. Ezra wrote psalm 119 in short units to help the hebrew people memorize the psalm. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to gods written revelation, his word. Find out more answers in the complete bible answer book. There is not official composer mentioned and no one is sure who wrote it. 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. As the writer begins his prayer, note the requests he make of god as well as his testimonies about god. Psalm 119 shows us that the word of god should have top priority in our lives. Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, is one of only two old testament books to identify itself as a composite work containing multiple authors proverbs is the other.
Book of psalms overview insight for living ministries. 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. There is no special title to this psalm, neither is any authors name mentioned. Some people think that 176 different people wrote one verse each. Connect with hank hanegraaff and the christian research institute cri. Psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. However, from the stage of hebrew we know that this song was composed during the second temple period. Psalms 119 commentary charles spurgeons treasury of david. Spurgeon also pronounced bridges exposition of proverbs the best work on the proverbs. Other people analyze this differently with disagreement. 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. Alef how blessed are those whose actions are blameless, 2. Psalm 119 letters and meanings psalm 119 contains the 22 letters of the hebrew alphabet. A complete english version of psalm 119 from the king james bible was completed by frederick steinruck, michael misiaszek, and michael owens.
I hate the twofaced, but i love your clearcut revelation. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. This psalm is a song that the hebrews sang by heart as they returned to jerusalem. Psalm 119 is generally believed to be written by david. He has been sought among the trees, the hills, the planets, the stars. The psalmist who wrote psalm 119 had a love affair. It is an alphabetic acrostic in which each group of eight verses all begin with the same letter of the hebrew alphabet, and almost every verse focuses on the beauty of gods torah.
Despite its inspiring content and exquisite form, psalm 119 is one of the orphan psalms. When the law is written in the heart duty becomes a delight. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm, including one by thomas manton, a puritan preacher and writer, who wrote a threevolume work on psalm 119. It is a moving tribute to the beauty of the mitsvot and the enthralling experience of torah study. The author of the psalm is a man who has known great trouble in his life, but also one who has come through it with a deep and passionate. Psalms 119, new international version niv the bible app. Since the book of psalms is the longest book in the bible, it shows us the priority of praise and worship to god. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, o lord, according unto thy word.
Nov 12, 2006 psalm 119, also known as the alfabeta, is my favorite psalm. It consists of twentytwo parts, answering to the number of the hebrew letters. In the greek septuagint version of the bible, and in its latin translation in the. Containing 176 verses, psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the bible. Psalm 118 is the 118th psalm of the book of psalms, generally known in english by its first verse, in the king james version, o give thanks unto the lord. Even though the affliction came from bad men, it was overruled for good ends. Psalms chapter 119 kjv king james version i have really enjoyed the scripture this is my very first time reading the scripture but it meant so much and lord knows i needed it at this particular time father god in the name of jesus or god youre worthy to be praised when i think about the goodness and all that you have done for me my soul cries out hallelujah hallelujah thank you jesus thank. Probable timeline of when each psalm was written study. The verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of each of the hebrew alphabet, such as aleph.
David was responsible for many of them, composing seventythree. 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. This psalm contains 176 verses of praise of hashem, making it the longest chapter in the entire tanach. 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. When we form an idea of a blessedly holy man psalms 119. This psalm is actually written as an acrostic poem.
Although it does bear some linguistic resemblance to features of both the book of ezra and the book of chronicles. After bridges wrote his exposition of psalms 119 in 1827, at least twentyfour printings of the book were published during his lifetime. Some scholars have commented that they believe that ezra wrote psalm 119. Other writers include moses, heman the ezrahite, ethan the ezrahite, solomon, asaph, and the sons of. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet to direct me in all my doubts and difficulties, and to comfort me in all my fears and distresses. Many attribute it to king david because the tone and quality of the. Are we required to live according to the 119th psalm. Charles spurgeon considered the commentary to be worth its weight in gold. There are 8 verses per letter describing the meaning of the letter. Study psalm 119 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
Before i was afflicted i went astray especially through high mindedness and earthly mindedness, which are purged out by affliction, and grace increased. Also, could you describe the new covenant with jesus. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm. Psalm 119 1 psalm 119 aleph 1 blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the lord. The masoretes a group of jewish scholars between the 6 th and 10 th centuries ad said that the word of god is mentioned in every verse except psalm 119. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of some historical note. It is the longest psalm, and this is a sufficiently distinctive name for it. It is the longest psalm, and this is a sufficiently distinctive. The peculiarity of the composition consists in this that the first eight verses of the psalm begin with the first letter of. Study the bible online using commentary on psalm 119.
Asked in old testament who wrote ps 119 in the old testament. The book of psalms is in the third section of the hebrew bible, the khetuvim, and a book of the christian old testament. The rabbis of the talmud and midrash, followed by rashi and radaq, maintain that psalm 119 was composed by king david. Beginning with verse 17, psalm 119 becomes a prayer. Oct 12, 2018 psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. Each volume is between 500 and 600 pages, with a total of 1,677 pages. It stands as the giant among the psalms it is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the bible176 verses. 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 warm affection for it. Czech composer antonin dvorak set verses 114, 117, 119 and 120 to music in his biblical songs. Even though the writer of psalm 119 is unconfirmed, some of the verses below give credibility to david being the author of psalm 119 because of similarity in language to the davidic psalms.
It is a part of the bible worthy to be read, studied and sung again and again. Notice, they say that they have no way of identifying the composers of any of these hymns. 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. Whatever he may have thought while under the trial, he perceived himself to be the better for it when. Who wrote psalms 119 and when was it wrote answers. It stands as the giant among the psalmsit is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the bible176 verses.
According to tradition it was written by king david, as were most of the other unnamed psalms. Czech composer antonin dvorak set verses 114, 117, 119 and 120 to music in his biblical songs 1894. There may be something more than fancy in the remark, that christs name, the alpha and omega equivalent to declaring him all that which every letter of the alphabet could express may have had a reference to the peculiarity of this psalm, a psalm in which with the exception of psalms 119. Probable occasion when each psalm was composed contains the psalm, the scripture it was written after, the occasion on which it was composed, and the year. This is an alphabetical psalm the longest, and most perfect in its kind, in the collection of psalms. Although king david did not write all of the psalms, he is its most prolific author with eighty of them credited to him. Psalm 119, also known as the alfabeta, is my favorite psalm. The book of psalms is the third section of the hebrew bible, and a book of the christian old testament. I have sworn, and will perform it i have solemnly vowed, and, by gods grace, will fulfil my vow.