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. Psalm 119 is not the only scripture that uses alefbet or parallelism. Celebrating the scriptures psalm 119 psalm 119 introduction. After bridges wrote his exposition of psalms 119 in 1827, at least twentyfour printings of the book were published during his lifetime.
Psalm 119 the wonder of the word psalm 119 has as its theme the word of god. It is mentioned in every verse with a couple of possible. It is written in a format that will allow us to read and study the key concepts with. Spurgeon while other parts of scripture show us the glory of our high calling, this book may instruct us in. Go on this insightful and inspirational journey of discovery through the psalm and uncover pearls of wisdom that will enhance your daily walk with christ. This psalm is actually written as an acrostic poem.
Psalm 119, english standard version 2016 esv the bible app. Spurgeon also pronounced bridges exposition of proverbs the best work on the proverbs. Aug 01, 1981 it divides psalm 119 into its 176 verses occasionally doing two verses at a time. 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. The theme of psalm 119 the theme of psalm 119 is what the word of god is and does. The excellence of holiness is represented as the imme diate object of a spiritual taste and delight. This structure is not meant merely as poetic device as many think.
I have always understood that psalm 119 is about the word of god. These verse are the first indication in the psalm except in ps. The princes also were probably hebrews, but of the nobility. Scripture is not just pretty words it is always about revelation of a person.
It, like psalms 111 and 112, is an alphabetic acrostic in form, but it is vastly in substance. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the bible and is filled with wisdom and insights that are relevant to the modern believer in christ. It divides psalm 119 into its 176 verses occasionally doing two verses at a time. When nature sinks and spirits droop, thy promises of grace are pillars to support my hope.
The longest psalm the longest chapter in the bible. In this superb narrative, bridges undertakes an intensive narration of each verse. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs barrick, placerita baptist church 2008 2 y lord yahweh appears 24x. But it is rewarding to think how our struggles as christians have not changed since the psalms were written or charles bridges commented on them. Charles bridges theologian 17941869, preacher and theologian in the church of england charles bridges painter 16721747, english painter active in the american colonies. Psalm 119 6409 final basic training bible ministries. Study the bible online using commentary on psalm 119.
This book benefits one best perhaps if one has already read a bunch of serious christian books, including one or two of puritan kind and more than just pilgrims progress. First of all, it has the distinction of being the longest chapter in the bible. These words refer to scripture or gods written word. You can also read bridges comments on wellknown and particularly helpful proverbs on our a commentary on proverbs page. Other people analyze this differently with disagreement. Psalm 119 your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believers experience. Read through the following to become familiar with the eight words. It is also one of the most thematically focused psalms virtually every one of those 176 verses says the. Psalm 119 by charles bridges psalm 119 by charles bridges preeminently a book of the heart. I have sworn, and i will perform it, that i will keep your righteous judgments. Luther said that he would not exchange one leaf of it for the whole world.
In the evening grew better by reading psalm 119, which generally brings me into a spiritual frame of mind. But it is rewarding to think how our struggles as christians have not changed since the psalms were. The request for god to teach the psalmist is found in ps. Exposition of psalm 119 9781612038254 by charles bridges. The blessing of the guidance of the lords word naturally strengthens our resolution to walk in its path. Psalm 119 uses 10 key words that are found in each verse except verse 122. The popularity of the work may be judged by the fact that it passed through at. To the captive apostle it speaks of the bursting of chains, the angel deliverer, the restoration to friends, the recovered power of proclaiming to the people the glad tidings of the gospel of christ. It is famously known as the longest psalm in the bible it is a whopping 176 verses. If god deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. Web page by richard baxter, c h spurgeon, charles bridges, edward fisher. Digitized by erin bensing, 2007 gordon college, wenham, ma. Mar 15, 2015 bridges proverbs is the best work on the proverbs.
An exposition went through at least twentyfour printings during his lifetime. An exposition of psalm 119 by charles bridges new york. Sermon 27 on psalm 119 by thomas manton which jonathan edwards recommended in his 70 principles to live by addeddate 20110829 16. Regardless of writer, psalm 119 has some very special qualities. Preface verses 1 25 verses 26 50 verses 51 75 verses 76 100 verses 101 125 verses 126.
But, dont let the length of the chapter hinder you. Spurgeon while other parts of scripture show us the glory of our high calling, this book may instruct us in all minuteness of detail how to walk worthy of it col 1. Charles bridges spends an average of two pages per verse. Psalm 119 was written somewhere between 24003000 years ago. In the contemplative philosopher it is only cheerless, barren admiration. Anonymous author, david, ezra and jeremiah have all been suggested and all make sense. I began preaching through psalm 119, stanza by stanza or eight verses at a time, last september. Rich with biblical knowledge and crossreferences, this picture of psalm 119 is a thoroughly researched compendium. While psalm 111 consists of only seventytwo words and psalm 112 of seventynine words, psalm 119 has 176 verses, in which groups of eight verses of the psalm begin with each successive letter of the hebrew alphabet.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Each of the 8 verses in each section begin with the same hebrew. Below are eight hebrew words and what they are translated as in english most frequently. Exposition of psalm 119 by charles bridges, paperback. 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 is occupied with the interesting subject of christian experience. God is addressed or referred to in every one of the 176 verses. Tonight, in our midweek worship service at shiloh metropolitan baptist church, i plan to conclude my exposition of the longest passage in the bible psalm 119. Psalm 119 twentytwo pearls upon one string, as bridges calls it has ever retained a strong fascination for exercised souls. Gods law, that grand expression and emanation of the holiness of gods nature, and pre. 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. For a short time in 1631, he was a lecturer at colchester, put in place by harbottle grimstone and robert rich, 2nd earl of warwick. In this verse david asserts, that he still persevered in the exercise of prayer.
The style is from an earlier 1824 time period so it is hard to read quickly. I cover two verses a day one in the morning and one in the evening. Celebrating the scriptures psalm 119 psalm 119 introduction a few facts. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to gods written revelation, his word. He studied at emmanuel college, cambridge, receiving an m. Proverbs by charles bridges ebook echristianresources. Charles bridges, one of the outstanding evangelical writers in the church of england in the last century, issued his exposition of psalm 119 in 1827 when he was 33 years of age. That is just about the right size for a five to seven minute session. This book talks through this particular psalm with at least one sometimes three sentence each. The manner in which he expresses himself, which, in other languages, might be unpolished, among the hebrews, expresses that familiar communication to which god admits, and even. This confidence invigorates not only his own soul but encourages the church. Before i was afflicted i went astray, but now have i kept thy word.
Looking at psalm 119the longest psalm in the bibleunder a microscopic lens, charles bridges takes the time to explain each verse and how it fits into the bible. Theologian and biblical scholar charles bridges explains the nature of psalm 119, popularly renowned as one of the lengthiest and most spiritually rich of the psalms. For, can he forget the revelation, which his god read more. While explaining the passage in hand, he sets other portions of the word in new lights. Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms and certainly the longest chapter in the bible. How full of suggestion of all that is bright and cheerful.
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