who wrote psalm 119

Psalm 119 is traditionally attributed to King David according to ancient Jewish and Christian sources. While David is not explicitly named as the author in Psalm 119 itself, the personal devotional tone, vocabulary, and themes align with his known authorship style found in other psalms. Early traditions from the era of Second Temple Judaism credit David with most of the Psalter, reinforcing this attribution. However, modern scholarship often suggests that Psalm 119 may have been composed or compiled later, possibly during or after the Babylonian exile, reflecting linguistic and historical indicators. Some scholars propose multiple contributors or an unknown author in exile, such as Ezra, Daniel, or others, who faced persecution and used the psalm to express devotion to God's law despite hardships. In summary, the authorship of Psalm 119 remains uncertain but traditionally is ascribed to David, while scholarly views open the possibility of later or multiple authors. The psalm’s core message of delighting in God's law remains central regardless of its authorship.