Psalm 119 vs 105 commentary on the book

From this peculiarity of construction the couplets of psalm 119 may, in the hebrew tongue, be committed to memory with far more ease than in any modern language. First of all, it has the distinction of being the longest chapter in the bible. Psalm 119 shows us that the word of god should have top priority in our lives. The path of life would be obscured from our view, were it not for the light of jesus which lights our way. The book of psalms is in the third section of the hebrew bible, the khetuvim, and a book of the christian old testament. The answer is implied, and inferable from psalms 119.

An exposition of psalm 119 by charles bridges new york. The authorship of this chapter in psalms is unknown. I have always understood that psalm 119 is about the word of god. David guzik commentary on psalm 119, which is the longest psalm and the longest chapter on. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path, websters bible translation. It is much longer than any of them more than twice as long as any of them. David was a man of very good wit and natural understanding. 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. I have sworn, and will perform it i have solemnly vowed, and, by gods grace, will fulfil my vow. Containing 176 verses, psalm 119 is the longest single chapter in the bible. Psalms 119 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this seven volume magnum opus was first published in weekly installments in the sword and the trowel. Commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. The symbolism of light or a lamp is used to show direction or instruction received as a result of understanding of gods word. But writing the commentary for this passage was a challenge due to the length of.

Psalm 119 the wonder of the word psalm 119 has as its theme the word of god. It stands as the giant among the psalmsit is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the bible176 verses. Nevertheless, the author of our verse seems to have understood that the journey itself is as important as the destination. Though i constantly take my life in my hands, i will not forget your law.

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to. The use of a lamp is by night, while the light of the sun shineth by day. This bible study on psalm 119 contains outlines, extensive crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications. The commandment is a lamp kept burning with the oil of the spirit, as a light to direct us in the choice of our way, and the steps we take in that way. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm.

In other words, pain does not always mean that we are being punished. Each stanza contains eight verses, and the first letter of each verse is that which gives name to the stanza. We must carefully treasure up the word of god, declare it to others, meditate on it, and heartily delight in it. Psalms 119 commentary charles spurgeons treasury of david. If you have your bibles, id invite you to turn with me to psalm 119 again and well be looking at verses 105 to 112.

But, dont let the length of the chapter hinder you. It is divided into twentytwo parts or stanzas, denoted by the twentytwo letters of the hebrew alphabet. Commentary for psalms 119 the general scope and design of this psalm is to magnify the divine law, and make it honourable. Accept, lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. King james version thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. This strophe is the one that was made the basis of the hymn, oh how love i thy law, see chapter introduction, and from which we selected a title for this entire psalm 119. Psalm 119 not by bread alone your word is a lamp to my feet. Gods word provides illumination to walk without stumbling. A celebration of the beauty of the word of god in his general audience of november 9, 2011, pope benedict xvi focused his catechesis on psalm 119, the longest of the psalms.

The psalmist understood this principle, and longed for god to be his teacher, and to keep him in gods great book. Not only does the word of god inform us of his will, but, as a light on a path in darkness, it shows us how to follow the right and avoid the wrong way. Regardless of writer, psalm 119 has some very special qualities. Whether it be day or night with us, we clearly understand our duty by the word of god. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies. We journey through a fallen world with many dangerous pitfalls, slippery places and dark foes seeking to destroy our close fellowship with our lord, but in psalm 119 we are given a beautiful promise and an eternal truth that gods word is a gleaming lamp to our feet, that will guide us through the darkness of this fallen world and it is a shining light to brighten the pathway we take.

This is the first of several quickly stated encouragements to honor and worship god. Gods word is a lamp, a light that illuminates the darkness. But scripture is mentioned in at least 171 of the 176 verses. Ive committed myself and ill never turn back from living by your righteous order. It is not making long prayers that christ censurers, but making them for a pretence, which intimates that they are in themselves good and. 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. The pain may occur because we are being formed and prepared for what lies ahead. That is just about the right size for a five to seven minute session. Psalm 119 was written somewhere between 24003000 years ago. There are ten words by which divine revelation is called in this psalm, and each expresses what god expects from us, and what we may expect from him. Summary i am blessed if my walk is blameless, and that can only be achieved by walking according to gods. Nun your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Read commentary on this popular bible verse and understand the real meaning behind gods word using john gills.

Blessed are a the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the lord. Now david encouraged himself and others to give thanks to the lord, and psalm 105 will give many reasons for this thanksgiving. A lamp to my foot is thy word, and a light to my path. Psalms 119 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness. Previous psalms focused on stirring ones soul to bless the lord. God is addressed or referred to in every one of the 176 verses. Nun thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths. Psalm 119 is an alphabetical acrostic poem organized in 22 stanzas according to the 22 letters of the hebrew alphabet from aleph through tav. Nevertheless, the author of our verse seems to have understood that the.

Biblical commentary bible study psalm 119 exegesis. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet without the direction whereof, both for my whole course of life, and for every particular action thereof, i cannot but be in dreadful darkness and desperate downfalls. The night signifieth adversity, and the day prosperity. If a person walks through the woods at night, he is well served to have a flashlight with him to shine it on the ground in front of him so that his feet do not trip over a snag in the path, or his shins do not encounter a boulder or fallen log. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that i will follow your righteous laws. The idea is, that the word of god is like a torch or lamp ton man in a dark night. I cover two verses a day one in the morning and one in the evening. Being such a long psalm and the longest chapter in the bible this psalm has been of great historical interest. Some people think that 176 different people wrote one verse each. O how love i thy law i it is my meditation all the day.

Since the book of psalms is the longest book in the bible, it shows us the priority of praise and worship to god. Digitized by erin bensing, 2007 gordon college, wenham, ma. The equivalent alphabet in the new testament, which is written in greek, would be alpha and omega see revelation 1. We can learn from this that god inflicts pain not merely because we sin. Oh that we would consider this, that in all our ways wherein the word of. I do not mean by this to despise or set aside every other book but the bible. Clarke commentary barnes notes biblical illustrator coffman commentaries.

New living translation your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. It is written in a format that will allow us to read and study the key concepts with. My usual practice when writing the commentary for a biblical passage is to treat each verse or phrase individuallyalbeit with an introduction to help the reader appreciate the context. This psalm says, the word of god will guide us along the path of life lighting the way onwards towards our soul salvation. Visit our inductive bible studi es for more studies on this and other books of the bible. Psalm 119 1 psalm 119 aleph 1 blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the lord. Where needed, i include verses that the lectionary skipped. Not by bread alone your word is a lamp to my feet psalm 119. The author of psalm 119 is unknown, but most scholars agree that it was written by david, ezra, or daniel. Charles bridges spends an average of two pages per verse. Thy law is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.