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Psalm 119: An Exposition
Pre-eminently a book of the heart; C.H. Spurgeon describes it as worth its weight in gold .
Psalm 119 twenty-two pearls upon one string , as Bridges calls it has ever retained a strong fascination for exercised souls. Luther said that he would not exchange one leaf of it for the whole world.
Psalm 119 twenty-two pearls upon one string , as Bridges calls it has ever retained a strong fascination for exercised souls. Luther said that he would not exchange one leaf of it for the whole world.
490 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1981
116 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 11, 2016
(Note: 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 'Pilgrim's Progress').)
This book talks through this particular psalm with at least one - sometimes three - sentence each getting an in-depth talk. Makes it easier to digest (if one decides to read one part a day). Although this book isn't thick, the density of the teaching makes it a slow read.
Written in 1827, this book had 24-plus printings out by the time of author's death. Psalm 119 is a prayer of a person in which we can find ourselves (too). It can be motivating for us to search for a renewed zeal in being Christian. It shows the depths of the love of God's word: to read, to believe, and to live it.
This text had plenty of Bible quotes, but the places where they are are not given. Sometimes the text's writing style slows a modern reader down a bit, but it's very rewarding. It's interesting to see how the text often addresses a character called 'the professor', obviously something the author wanted to reach - an educated gentleman of a person whose Christianity is however rather weak, surface-level only kind... not necessarily a particularly evil kind of a person, just too detached (and in danger of complete one).
Nothing completely new, but I gathered plenty of notes from reading it, which does tell me that there was definitely something I gained from reading this one - a hidden gem of a book one doesn't necessarily stumble across. (I have another book of his still to read.) It does help to sometimes do a search on your favorite book-buying site.
Psalm 119 is most certainly one of my favorite psalms, before and after this. This book gave me more insight to it, at least on some level. Worth reading. :)
This book talks through this particular psalm with at least one - sometimes three - sentence each getting an in-depth talk. Makes it easier to digest (if one decides to read one part a day). Although this book isn't thick, the density of the teaching makes it a slow read.
Written in 1827, this book had 24-plus printings out by the time of author's death. Psalm 119 is a prayer of a person in which we can find ourselves (too). It can be motivating for us to search for a renewed zeal in being Christian. It shows the depths of the love of God's word: to read, to believe, and to live it.
This text had plenty of Bible quotes, but the places where they are are not given. Sometimes the text's writing style slows a modern reader down a bit, but it's very rewarding. It's interesting to see how the text often addresses a character called 'the professor', obviously something the author wanted to reach - an educated gentleman of a person whose Christianity is however rather weak, surface-level only kind... not necessarily a particularly evil kind of a person, just too detached (and in danger of complete one).
Nothing completely new, but I gathered plenty of notes from reading it, which does tell me that there was definitely something I gained from reading this one - a hidden gem of a book one doesn't necessarily stumble across. (I have another book of his still to read.) It does help to sometimes do a search on your favorite book-buying site.
Psalm 119 is most certainly one of my favorite psalms, before and after this. This book gave me more insight to it, at least on some level. Worth reading. :)
January 30, 2023
My dad loves books. But he does not like reading them. He collects them (he likes to brag about how many titles he has read–and he literally means “titles”) and then they sit unread on his bookshelf.
One Christmas when I was home from college, I rummaged through my dad’s unread collection and rescued several volumes to give them a new home where they will be loved and read.
One of those books was Charles Bridges’ commentary on Psalm 119. Charles Bridges was, in my opinion, the nineteenth-century king of one-liners. Originally published in 1827, his book is brimming with practical application for the twenty-first century.
Reading Psalm 119 is like taking a sneak peek at someone’s diary, says Bridges. Psalm 119 “may be considered as the journal of one who was…long practiced in the life and walk of faith” (pp. viii-ix). But if you were to take a peek at my journal from eleven years ago, you would see that I was at a low point in my spiritual life. I needed help. That’s why I started reading An Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges. This old book has been in some ways a companion through the valleys of my spiritual life over the last eleven years.
I’m glad I stumbled across this book, dusty and forgotten on my dad’s bookshelf. It’s been a good friend over the last eleven years. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.
And as this book goes back on my shelf, I hope it’s practical holiness will stick with me.
I wrote more about how this book has influenced me here: https://patebrian.wordpress.com/2015/...
One Christmas when I was home from college, I rummaged through my dad’s unread collection and rescued several volumes to give them a new home where they will be loved and read.
One of those books was Charles Bridges’ commentary on Psalm 119. Charles Bridges was, in my opinion, the nineteenth-century king of one-liners. Originally published in 1827, his book is brimming with practical application for the twenty-first century.
Reading Psalm 119 is like taking a sneak peek at someone’s diary, says Bridges. Psalm 119 “may be considered as the journal of one who was…long practiced in the life and walk of faith” (pp. viii-ix). But if you were to take a peek at my journal from eleven years ago, you would see that I was at a low point in my spiritual life. I needed help. That’s why I started reading An Exposition of Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges. This old book has been in some ways a companion through the valleys of my spiritual life over the last eleven years.
I’m glad I stumbled across this book, dusty and forgotten on my dad’s bookshelf. It’s been a good friend over the last eleven years. Needless to say, I highly recommend it.
And as this book goes back on my shelf, I hope it’s practical holiness will stick with me.
I wrote more about how this book has influenced me here: https://patebrian.wordpress.com/2015/...
January 29, 2023
A favorite! It’s always close to me.
January 26, 2019
It took me two years to finish this as I read it alongside a verse-by-verse study of Psalm 119. Impossible to describe the usefulness and help of this book. A treasure.
October 8, 2019
This book is best read as a devotional. It divides Psalm 119 into its 176 verses occasionally doing two verses at a time. The style is from an earlier (1824) time period so it is hard to read quickly. 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.
July 20, 2013
One minister I greatly respect described this book as the finest compendium of practical divinity of which he was aware. There can be no doubt that this is a heart-searching book that strongly promotes practical Christianity. There are few books that I have read more than once and very few commentaries are among them, but this is one that I have read several times and profited from each time. It is a spiritual gold mine.
August 16, 2023
This book has become a dear treasure….it’s depth and wisdom worthy of being a constant companion for my heart.
June 13, 2022
Good look at Psalm 119. I bought this because everyone else I was reading was quoting from it. And honestly it was difficult to read. The psalm breaks didn’t match the actual psalm’s breaks, but there still were a lot of nuggets (most of which other books quoted). Still not terrible
April 8, 2025
This was an incredible book! Charles Bridges was a contemporary of J.C. Ryle at one point, living within 20 miles of him! This commentary walked through the longest Psalm of the Bible verse by verse! I used it devotionally to stir my heart, and I absolutely loved it! Bridges' careful exposition and numerous cross references to other scripture made the Gospel incredibly evident in this Psalm. I have incorporated many of the verses into specific prayers for people in my life! I would love to teach or preach through this Psalm and would use this book as a great place to start! I recommend this to anyone who wants to meditate on the 119th Psalm, and I found it to be so good for my soul as a devotion. The law of God is more valuable to me than much gold and has wonderous things to behold in it!!! Bridges has commentaries on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes that I will definitely pick up at some point!!!
August 24, 2025
Rich solid insightful devotional reading.
November 20, 2022
Full of encouragement and prompts for discipline and self examination.
In places a challenge to read due to the style of writing but worth exercising patience to read it.
In places a challenge to read due to the style of writing but worth exercising patience to read it.
August 11, 2016
This gem of a work is truly "worth its weight in gold," as C.H. Spurgeon said of it. Perhaps best used as a devotional, this book is a verse-by-verse exposition of Psalm 119's rich tapestry with special focus on the law's spirituality. With its Christ-centered vision, profound insights, and experiential focus on the heart, this is a fantastic aid to self-examination and to fostering greater love for God's ways.
Prayerfully read and meditate on each verse and the accompanying exposition, one per sitting, and you cannot fail to find benefit in the nuggets of truth in each section.
Matthew Henry's father taught him that loving Psalm 119 would lead to greater love of the rest of Scripture, and my study of this Psalm, with Bridges' aid, has certainly proven that true in my own life through the Spirit's work.
One caution: While not overly difficult or technical with theological terms, this book does not have the modern prose of a NYT bestseller. If you haven't read a few Christian classics from the past, you may find it doesn't flow exactly as you were expecting.
Prayerfully read and meditate on each verse and the accompanying exposition, one per sitting, and you cannot fail to find benefit in the nuggets of truth in each section.
Matthew Henry's father taught him that loving Psalm 119 would lead to greater love of the rest of Scripture, and my study of this Psalm, with Bridges' aid, has certainly proven that true in my own life through the Spirit's work.
One caution: While not overly difficult or technical with theological terms, this book does not have the modern prose of a NYT bestseller. If you haven't read a few Christian classics from the past, you may find it doesn't flow exactly as you were expecting.
May 23, 2019
Devotionally rich. Not a truly full orbed exposition of Psalm 119 however. Essentially it is the application/meditation section of a sermon. There is great profit here, just not clear explanation of the text as it stands in relationship to itself. My rating is focused on helpfulness of text explanation, not application, otherwise it would be a 5.
February 12, 2019
Outstanding Read
Charles brings depth and clarity to every verse. The exposition makes it so personally identifiable. We are all David, I am David. I am encouraged by this book to be a man after God's heart.
Charles brings depth and clarity to every verse. The exposition makes it so personally identifiable. We are all David, I am David. I am encouraged by this book to be a man after God's heart.
July 15, 2023
Worth rereading
I’ve read this volume several times in my life. Bridges’ exposition of Psalm 119 searches my heart like few other books. He explains and applies the truth clearly and convincingly.
I’ve read this volume several times in my life. Bridges’ exposition of Psalm 119 searches my heart like few other books. He explains and applies the truth clearly and convincingly.
June 1, 2017
Read for my study on Psalm 119. This is an excellent commentary on Psalm 119!
October 1, 2024
One of my new favorite commentaries of all time. Bridges on Proverbs is excellent, but this might even surpass that volume for its devotional richness. Highly recommended.
November 23, 2025
Great devotional on the Word to warm the soul before entering the Word. Will be returning to again.
December 9, 2023
I love this book! Practical, devotional, but also heart instruction for daily living . Every morning I looked forward to reading and meditating on Ps. 119 along with Bridges comments . This is my 3rd read of this book and I hope to include it to my reading list through out years to come . Prayer, reading your Bible , praise and loving God more are the theme. Sinclair Ferguson said in a sermon if you can't find time to read the whole Bible read Ps. 119 and 1 Peter. This book has never been a disappointment. I pray the text will stay in my mind . I finished it a week ago and am still thinking about it and miss reading it!
August 10, 2017
This is the best Bible commentary I have ever read ... no exaggeration! I spent several months taking it one or two verses at a time, examining all the author's cross references and I was truly inspired by the depth of his Bible knowledge.
Highly recommend for all serious Bible students and scholars. I am planning to order Pastor Bridges' commentary on Ecclesiastes next.
Highly recommend for all serious Bible students and scholars. I am planning to order Pastor Bridges' commentary on Ecclesiastes next.
November 29, 2025
This book is great for a verse-a-day meditation on God's Word in Psalm 119, but such a method misses the meaning of the verses in their context with other verses, and it nearly misses the central theme of the entire Psalm.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews