What Is the Longest Book in the Bible?
What Is the Longest Book in the Bible? The longest book in the Bible is Psalms, with 150 chapters and 43,743 words in the original Hebrew.
Key verse: Psalm 119:1 (KJV)
The longest book in the Bible is Psalms, with 150 chapters and 43,743 words in the original Hebrew.
The longest book in the Bible is Psalms, with 150 chapters and 43,743 words in the original Hebrew.
"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD." — Psalm 119:1 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
By word count in the original Hebrew, the book of Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, containing 150 chapters and approximately 43,743 words. It is also the most frequently quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. Jeremiah is the longest book by verse count at 1,364 verses, though its word count is slightly less than Psalms. Genesis is the third longest. The longest single chapter is Psalm 119 with 176 verses, and the longest verse is Esther 8:9. The Psalms span every human emotion — praise, lament, thanksgiving, confession, and hope — and point repeatedly to the Messiah. Jesus quoted the Psalms on the cross ('My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'), and the early church sang them as hymns. For centuries, Jews and Christians have read through the Psalms monthly, finding in them the vocabulary of the soul's communion with God.
Key Scripture References
"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD."
"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
"And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Shortest Book in the Bible?
The shortest book in the Bible is 3 John, with only one chapter and 299 words in the original Greek.
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
The Bible contains 66 books — 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament.
What Is the Oldest Book in the Bible?
Most scholars believe the Book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible, predating even Genesis in composition.
Who Wrote the Bible?
The Bible was written by approximately 40 human authors over 1,500 years, but ultimately inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
Is the Bible True and Reliable?
Yes — the Bible's historical accuracy, fulfilled prophecy, internal consistency, and transformative power confirm its divine reliability.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Is the Bible True and Reliable?
History & Origins
How Many Books Are in the Bible?
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The answer above sits inside Psalm. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
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