Psalms 139
BSB1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD. 5 You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, 10 even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You. 13 For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and I know this very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! 18 If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You. 19 O God, that You would slay the wicked— away from me, you bloodthirsty men— 20 who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD, and detest those who rise against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them as my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.
Study Notes — Psalms 139
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 139
- Themes from Psalms 139
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 139
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The psalmist begins by acknowledging God's complete knowledge of him, from his thoughts and actions to his very being (Psalms 139:1-6). He then expresses his wonder at God's omnipresence, whether in the highest heavens or the deepest depths (Psalms 139:7-12). The psalmist also reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days (Psalms 139:13-16). He concludes with a desire to be searched and known by God, that he might be cleansed from sin and walk in the way of righteousness (Psalms 139:17-24). Throughout the chapter, the psalmist's tone is one of reverence, trust, and humility, as he seeks to honor God and conform to His will.
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 139 is part of the fifth book of Psalms, which focuses on the themes of God's sovereignty, wisdom, and redemption. This chapter fits within the larger narrative of the Psalms, which express the depths of human emotion and the heights of divine revelation. The chapter's emphasis on God's omnipresence and omniscience is consistent with the biblical theme of God's transcendence and immanence, which is developed throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Heart Application
As we reflect on God's thoughts and ways, we are reminded of the importance of humility and trust in our relationship with Him. We should seek to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's majesty, recognizing His intimate involvement in every aspect of our lives. By submitting to God's sovereignty and plan, we can find comfort and security in His loving care, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about God's all-encompassing presence and knowledge, which is a source of comfort and security for the believer. The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation and His intimate involvement in every aspect of his life, from conception to eternity (Psalms 139:13-16). As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of humility and trust in our relationship with God, recognizing His sovereignty and plan for our lives.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves; He sees us in all our circumstances, and is always near to us, to guide and to guard us.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“God's knowledge of us is not merely a general knowledge, but a particular and intimate knowledge, which penetrates to the very depths of our being.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- God's Omniscience (Psalms 139:1-6) — The psalmist acknowledges God's complete knowledge of him, from his thoughts and actions to his very being.
- God's Omnipresence (Psalms 139:7-12) — The psalmist expresses his wonder at God's presence, which is everywhere and always near.
- God's Sovereignty (Psalms 139:13-16) — The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days.
- The Value of God's Thoughts (Psalms 139:17-18) — The psalmist emphasizes the value and significance of God's thoughts, which are precious and numerous.
- The Desire to be Search and Known (Psalms 139:19-24) — The psalmist concludes with a desire to be searched and known by God, that he might be cleansed from sin and walk in righteousness.
Core Doctrines
- The Omniscience of God
- This chapter teaches that God has complete knowledge of all things, including human thoughts and actions (Psalms 139:1-6).
- The Omnipresence of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's presence, which is everywhere and always near (Psalms 139:7-12).
- The Sovereignty of God
- The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days (Psalms 139:13-16).
- The Value of Human Life
- The chapter underscores the value and dignity of human life, which is precious in God's sight and ordained for a purpose (Psalms 139:13-16).
Lessons from Psalms 139
- The Importance of Humility — The psalmist's tone is one of reverence, trust, and humility, as he seeks to honor God and conform to His will.
- The Value of God's Presence — The chapter emphasizes God's presence, which is everywhere and always near, providing comfort and security for the believer.
- The Significance of God's Sovereignty — The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days, demonstrating God's intimate involvement in every aspect of our lives.
- The Importance of Trust — The psalmist trusts in God's loving care, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge, demonstrating the importance of trust in our relationship with God.
- The Desire for Righteousness — The psalmist concludes with a desire to be searched and known by God, that he might be cleansed from sin and walk in righteousness, emphasizing the importance of seeking righteousness in our lives.
Themes from Psalms 139
- God's Omniscience — The chapter teaches that God has complete knowledge of all things, including human thoughts and actions.
- God's Omnipresence — The chapter emphasizes God's presence, which is everywhere and always near.
- God's Sovereignty — The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days.
- The Value of Human Life — The chapter underscores the value and dignity of human life, which is precious in God's sight and ordained for a purpose.
- The Importance of Humility and Trust — The psalmist's tone is one of reverence, trust, and humility, as he seeks to honor God and conform to His will.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean to you that God has complete knowledge of your thoughts and actions?
- How does the concept of God's omnipresence impact your daily life and decisions?
- What does the psalmist's reflection on God's sovereignty in his creation mean for your understanding of God's plan for your life?
- What is the significance of God's thoughts and plans for your life, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and awe for His majesty?
- How can you apply the psalmist's desire to be searched and known by God to your own life, that you might be cleansed from sin and walk in righteousness?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. God's Omniscience (Psalms 139:1-6)
| 139:1 | The psalmist acknowledges God's complete knowledge of him, from his thoughts and actions to his very being. |
| 139:2 | God knows the psalmist's sitting and rising, his thoughts and ways, demonstrating His intimate involvement in every aspect of his life. |
| 139:3 | The psalmist recognizes that God is acquainted with all his ways, even before he takes a step. |
| 139:4 | God knows the psalmist's words before he speaks them, demonstrating His complete knowledge of human thoughts and actions. |
| 139:5 | The psalmist is surrounded by God's presence, which is behind and before him, laying His hand upon him. |
| 139:6 | The psalmist acknowledges that God's knowledge is too wonderful for him, too lofty for him to attain. |
2. God's Omnipresence (Psalms 139:7-12)
| 139:7 | The psalmist asks where he can go to escape God's presence, recognizing that God is everywhere and always near. |
| 139:8 | If the psalmist ascends to heaven or makes his bed in Sheol, God is there, demonstrating His omnipresence. |
| 139:9 | If the psalmist takes the wings of the dawn or dwells in the farthest parts of the sea, God is there, guiding and guarding him. |
| 139:10 | Even in the darkest depths, God's hand will lead the psalmist, and His right hand will hold him. |
| 139:11 | If the psalmist says, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me," even the darkness is not dark to God. |
| 139:12 | The darkness and the light are both alike to God, demonstrating His omnipresence and omniscience. |
3. God's Sovereignty (Psalms 139:13-16)
| 139:13 | The psalmist recognizes that God formed him in the womb, demonstrating His role in human creation. |
| 139:14 | The psalmist is fearfully and wonderfully made, with complex and intricate designs, demonstrating God's sovereignty and wisdom. |
| 139:15 | The psalmist's frame was not hidden from God when he was being made in secret, demonstrating God's intimate involvement in every aspect of human life. |
| 139:16 | God's eyes saw the psalmist's unformed body, and all his days were written in God's book before any of them came to be, demonstrating His sovereignty and plan for human life. |
4. The Value of God's Thoughts (Psalms 139:17-18)
| 139:17 | The psalmist emphasizes the value and significance of God's thoughts, which are precious and numerous. |
| 139:18 | If the psalmist tries to count God's thoughts, they are more than the grains of sand, demonstrating the vastness of God's wisdom and plans. |
5. The Desire to be Search and Known (Psalms 139:19-24)
| 139:19 | The psalmist asks God to slay the wicked, who speak against the righteous with malicious intent. |
| 139:20 | The psalmist's enemies revile God's name, demonstrating their rebellion against God's sovereignty and plan. |
| 139:21 | The psalmist hates those who hate God, and is grieved by their wickedness, demonstrating his commitment to righteousness and justice. |
| 139:22 | The psalmist's hatred for God's enemies is perfect, demonstrating his zeal for God's name and His kingdom. |
| 139:23 | The psalmist asks God to search him and know his heart, that he might be cleansed from sin and walk in righteousness. |
| 139:24 | The psalmist asks God to lead him in the way everlasting, demonstrating his desire to follow God's plan and will for his life. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 139?
The main theme of Psalms 139 is God's omniscience, omnipresence, and sovereignty, which are demonstrated through the psalmist's reflection on God's knowledge, presence, and role in human creation.
How does the psalmist's reflection on God's sovereignty impact his understanding of God's plan for his life?
The psalmist's reflection on God's sovereignty demonstrates God's intimate involvement in every aspect of human life, from conception to eternity, and underscores the value and dignity of human life, which is precious in God's sight and ordained for a purpose.
What is the significance of God's thoughts and plans for the psalmist's life?
God's thoughts and plans are precious and numerous, demonstrating the depth of God's care and concern for the psalmist's life, and emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and plan.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 139:1 → Jeremiah 23:24 | God's omniscience is emphasized in Jeremiah 23:24, where God says, "Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" |
| 2 | Psalms 139:7 → Proverbs 15:3 | God's omnipresence is emphasized in Proverbs 15:3, where it says, "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." |
| 3 | Psalms 139:13 → Job 31:15 | God's role in human creation is emphasized in Job 31:15, where Job says, "Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same God form us in the womb?" |
| 4 | Psalms 139:17 → Isaiah 55:9 | God's thoughts and plans are emphasized in Isaiah 55:9, where it says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." |
| 5 | Psalms 139:23 → 1 Corinthians 11:28 | The importance of self-examination is emphasized in 1 Corinthians 11:28, where Paul says, "A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." |
| 6 | Psalms 139:1 → Matthew 10:30 | God's omniscience is emphasized in Matthew 10:30, where Jesus says, "Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." |
| 7 | Psalms 139:7 → Acts 17:27 | God's omnipresence is emphasized in Acts 17:27, where Paul says, "God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." |
| 8 | Psalms 139:13 → Ephesians 2:10 | God's role in human creation is emphasized in Ephesians 2:10, where Paul says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." |
| 9 | Psalms 139:17 → Romans 11:33 | God's thoughts and plans are emphasized in Romans 11:33, where Paul says, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" |
| 10 | Psalms 139:23 → Hebrews 4:12 | The importance of self-examination is emphasized in Hebrews 4:12, where it says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." |
Sermons on Psalms 139
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Heart Preparation for Revival by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of walking in the light and having fellowship with one another. He highlights the need for genuine repentance and obedience in |
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The Voice of God by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of examining our motives rather than just our actions. He shares a personal story of listening to a preacher who spoke about |
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Repentance - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15. He highlights the contrast between the younger son, who repents and returns to his fat |
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Interview 1974 by Corrie Ten Boom | This sermon shares the powerful testimony of a woman who endured imprisonment and suffering during World War II, highlighting how God's grace sustained her through the darkest time |
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The Greatest of These Is Love by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences during a difficult time in Holland when the Germans were targeting Jewish people. He talks about how he and others worked to save |
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(Basics) 1. the Origin of Evil by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that human reasoning cannot fully comprehend the nature of God. Just as a dog cannot understand a human being without being taught, we cannot |
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God Uses Foolish Things - Part 2 by Jackie Pullinger | In the sermon transcript, the speaker expresses gratitude and thanks to the audience for their presence and support. They mention the importance of attending church and encourage t |
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Attributes of God (Series 2): The Goodness of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the unchanging truth that God is good, regardless of the evil and darkness present in the world. He encourages listeners to experience God's |
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Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker begins by comparing astronauts representing the earth on the moon to believers in Jesus Christ representing heaven on earth. The world is described as t |
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Who Is the Holy Spirit and How Can We Know Him? by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the tragedy that has befallen the Church of Christ but offers hope for change. He suggests that this kind of preaching will either drive peo |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 139
In this chapter, the psalmist expresses his deep sense of reverence and awe for God's majesty, as well as his trust in God's loving care and sovereignty. The psalmist acknowledges God's complete knowledge of him, from his thoughts and actions to his very being, and recognizes God's intimate involvement in every aspect of his life. The chapter emphasizes God's omnipresence, which is a source of comfort and security for the believer, and underscores the value and dignity of human life, which is precious in God's sight and ordained for a purpose. As we reflect on God's thoughts and ways, we are reminded of the importance of humility and trust in our relationship with God, recognizing His sovereignty and plan for our lives. Through this chapter, we are encouraged to seek a deeper sense of reverence and awe for God's majesty, and to trust in His loving care and guidance, even in the midst of uncertainty and challenge. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Omniscience
The psalmist emphasizes God's complete knowledge of him, from his thoughts and actions to his very being (Psalms 139:1-6). This observation highlights the depth of God's understanding and care for humanity, demonstrating His intimate involvement in every aspect of our lives.
The Value of Human Life
The psalmist reflects on God's role in his creation, forming him in the womb and ordaining his days (Psalms 139:13-16). This observation underscores the value and dignity of human life, which is precious in God's sight and ordained for a purpose.
The Importance of Humility
The psalmist's tone is one of reverence, trust, and humility, as he seeks to honor God and conform to His will (Psalms 139:17-24). This observation emphasizes the importance of humility in our relationship with God, recognizing our limitations and dependence on Him.