It is the longest psalm, and this is a sufficiently distinctive name for it. The form of psalm 119 the hebrew psalter contains a number of acrostic, or alphabetic, psalms. Who wrote the book of psalms 119 8ca7aef5cf sadly, though, itsalthough he separated chapters for convenience his divisions, though not always accurate, persists to this day and are in most modern translations. Although it does bear some linguistic resemblance to features of both the book of ezra and the book of chronicles. This psalm is actually written as an acrostic poem. How many times is the phrase praise the lord found in the book of psalms. They realized the conditions under which asaph wrote it and, no doubt, realized that god gave it to them to be used in their discouragement. Some psalms name their author in the first line or title. The chronological bible has it penned in nehemiah so ezra is a possibility. But his delight is in the law of the lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. When nebuchadnezzar let the hebrew people return to jerusalem ezra went with them.
Beginning with verse 17, psalm 119 becomes a prayer. 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. I hate the twofaced, but i love your clearcut revelation. Although many psalms were originally composed by others, it was king davids recital that established them as immortal songs of praise. The author is certainly one who experienced great affliction in life, since persecution of those who hold. It is possible that ezra, nehemiah or other scribes are the ones that have gathered the collection of psalms. Psalm 119 captures the heart of the book of psalms and the spirit of all scripture.
Many attribute it to king david because the tone and quality of the. The collected psalms comprise the largest book in the bible and the most frequently quoted old testament book in the new testament. That is just about the right size for a five to seven minute session. Book iii has psalms 7389, composed primarily by asaph and the sons of korah, with psalm 86 by david and psalm 89 by ethan. This sampling of commentaries gives the idea that most scholars have given up on psalm 119 and classified it as they do the majority of proverbs. An acrostic poem in hebrew is one in which the initial letters of the lines form the alphabet in order. Perhaps best used as a devotional, this book is a versebyverse exposition of psalm 119s rich tapestry with special focus on the laws spirituality. A bible devotion from psalm 119 vs 18 i will praise you as i learn your righteous laws 1 blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord.
The book of psalms was written by both the holy spirit and multiple human authors. He has been sought among the trees, the hills, the planets, the stars. Just as psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the bible, two psalms just before, psalm. The bible mentions at least eleven distinct roman provinces and at least eight geographical regions within the empirein mathematical. Other people analyze this differently with disagreement. Ezra and the 119th psalm discover the book ministries. It is also the longest contiguous section of scripture enumerated by verses. Esv 1 blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the lord.
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. In contrast to popular thinking, david did not write all of the psalms in the book of psalms. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. Psalms 119 commentary charles spurgeons treasury of david. The order and content of the book in the greek septuagint basically agree with the hebrew text. It is also one of the most thematically focused psalms virtually every one of those 176 verses says the same thing in different ways. 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. Nahum sarnas songs of the heart republished as on the book of psalms offers a fine introduction to the book of psalms and analyses of selected chapters. Thematically, the psalms cover a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from heavenly worship to earthly war. Psalm 119 aleph joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the lord. Hymns for psalm 119 from, an authoritative index of hymns and hymnals. There is no special title to this psalm, neither is any authors name mentioned.
Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112 and 145 are examples. The following authors and the psalms attributed to. Also, could you describe the new covenant with jesus. Study guide for psalm 119 by david guzik blue letter bible. 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. Psalms 119 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.
In fact, psalms includes more authors than any other book of the bible. It is famously known as the longest psalm in the bible it is a whopping 176 verses. Each section of this psalm uses a different hebrew letter to begin each line. Alef how blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the lord. Psalms is the longest book of the bible see what the longest book actually is. The major themes found in psalms are praise, gods power, forgiveness, thankfulness and trust. Psalm 119 letters and meanings psalm 119 contains the 22 letters of the hebrew alphabet. This psalm praises the wonderful word of god by using every letter of the hebrew alphabet. Youngs concordance provides additional definitions. This theme is taken up in psalms 103106, which summarize gods dealings with his people before any kings. Book of psalms overview insight for living ministries. 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. Reasonably, therefore, the book of psalms must have been complete in the third century b.
Jan 04, 2015 we studied psalm 119 in our homeschool last fall and attempted to memorize parts of it. Psalm 119 vs 18 devotional reflections from the bible. Although it does bear some linguistic resemblance to features of both the book of ezra and the book of chronicles, theres no particular reason to believe that. 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. How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart, who, moreover, do no wrong, but follow in his footsteps. Read more about king david and the book of psalms here. Psalms, chapter 119 king james version christian answers. The book of psalms was originally divided into five books. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. The psalms volume in robert alters series of annotated translations of the hebrew bible combines familiarity with. Study psalm 119 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Book of psalms and canticles in the old testament, and a large part of the several epistles in the new testament is occupied with the interesting subject of christian expe rience.
Charles bridges spends an average of two pages per verse. Are we required to live according to the 119th psalm. 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. 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. Although with the proverbs it is quite appropriate to view them as short pithy statements with little or no connectedness between them, in psalm 119 we are reluctant to take such a view. There is not official composer mentioned and no one is sure who wrote it. Psalm 117 represents the middle out of 1189, in the bible. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees. I have always understood that psalm 119 is about the word of god. Find out more answers in the complete bible answer book.
The psalms are closely related to king david for many reasons. My mouth will speak the praise of the lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever 145. In fact, david only wrote about half of the psalms 73 out of all 150, to be precise though the latin vulgate and septuagint credit a. Dickson reference bible lists seventysix new testament quotations from the book of psalms, but none from ps. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of great historical interest. The powerful promises of psalm 119 teach us how to commune with god in the good times and the bad, revealing the critical role gods word is. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to gods written revelation, his word. He has been sought amid the mysterious wheels of providence. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by david, ezra, or daniel. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the book of psalms. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was. Interestingly, psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the bible with only two verses, while psalm 119 is the longest. 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. Containing 176 verses, psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the bible.
Some scholars have commented that they believe that ezra wrote psalm 119. He believed in the lord who enables us to encounter the challenge and rejoice. Each volume is between 500 and 600 pages, with a total of 1,677 pages. Andrew bonar tells of a simple christian in a farmhouse.
The 150 individual psalms which comprise the book of psalms were written by several men under the inspiration of the holy spirit. Psalms 119, new king james version nkjv the bible app. When we form an idea of a blessedly holy man psalms 119. There has been much discussion through history of whether psalm 117 or 118 is the center. Other writers include moses, heman the ezrahite, ethan the ezrahite, solomon, asaph, and the sons of korah.
Actually, by chapters, either psalm 117 or 118 is the exact center of the bibleso psalm 119 isnt too far off. Book ii comprises psalms 4272, authored by the sons of korah, asaph, david, and solomon. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of some historical note. Psalm 119 1 psalm 119 aleph 1 blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the lord. Probable timeline of when each psalm was written study. Thomas manton 162077 was one of the most outstanding of the puritan preachers in an age of pulpit greatness. F53 we cannot, at this time challenge that analysis. Psalms 119 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. 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.
Ezra wrote psalm 119 in short units to help the hebrew people memorize the psalm. The author is certainly one who experienced great affliction in life, since persecution. 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. Somewhere in the book of psalms at or near psalm 119. This psalm is a song that the hebrews sang by heart as they returned to jerusalem.
There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm. 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. I cover two verses a day one in the morning and one in the evening. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart read verse in new international version. Psalm 119 aleph blessed are those whose way is blameless. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by book 3. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. There are 8 verses per letter describing the meaning of the letter. I thought i would collect some of the links and facts i learned about the longest psalm here so that i can refer back to these things. The book of psalms is in the third section of the hebrew bible, the khetuvim, and a book of the christian old testament. What is significant about each verse of a stanza in psalm 119.
He who wrote this wonderful song was saturated with those books of scripture which he possessed. The book of psalms sefer tehillim my jewish learning. This is the purpose of ezra who wrote psalm 119 and who walks within you now in your journey of life. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord. Ezra wrote psalm 119 to preserve the purity of the hebrew language. Psalm 119 blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the lord. Psalm 90, attributed to moses, reminds the worshiper that god was active on israels behalf long before david. Philip henrys daughter wrote in her diary, i have of late taken some pains to learn by heart psalms 119. He who wrote this wonderful song was saturated with those books of scripture which he. The book of psalms contains some of the most beautiful poetry ever written, but many people find that these verses describe human problems so well that they make excellent prayers.
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. There is evidence that the contents of the book of psalms were fixed at an early date. This is an alphabetical psalm the longest, and most perfect in its kind, in the collection of psalms. Psalms 119 nlt psalm 119 aleph joyful are people of. The word of godhappy are the people who live pure lives. 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.
However, from the stage of hebrew we know that this song was composed during the second temple period. This was one of the psalms that the jews used when they were discouraged. Psalms 119, international childrens bible icb the bible app. It is an unusual book because it was written by so many human authors as indicated in the chart below. It is also used on five days of year i of the twoyear cycle of ordinary time weekday readings and fifteen days of year ii. Why are there hebrew characters every 8 verses in psalm 119.
Study the bible online using commentary on psalm 119. Sermons on psalm 119 the wonderful word of god new. Your children will quickly answer that question with one word. 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.
The book of psalms is the place to go when youre hurting. It takes about 15 minutes to read aloud or recite the entire 176 verses of psalm 119. Book one psalms 141 the way of the righteous and the end of the ungodly blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 3 which is has the title a psalm of david, when he. Bible students have guessed that among the writers of the psalms were other ot spiritual leaders such as ezra, isaiah, jeremiah, ezekiel, and haggai. What is the significance of the words aleph, beth, gimel. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. Although king david did not write all of the psalms, he is its most prolific author with eighty of them credited to him. It equals in bulk twentytwo psalms of the average length of the songs of degrees. Eitan haezrachi refers to abraham see talmud, bava batra 15a.
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