Psalms 139:2
Psalms 139:2 in Multiple Translations
You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
You have knowledge when I am seated and when I get up, you see my thoughts from far away.
You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know what I'm thinking even when I'm a long way away.
Thou knowest my sitting and my rising: thou vnderstandest my thought afarre off.
Thou — Thou hast known my sitting down, And my rising up, Thou hast attended to my thoughts from afar.
You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up rising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even though you are far away from me, you know what I am thinking.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 139:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 139:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַתָּ֣ה
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
שִׁבְתִּ֣/י
וְ/קוּמִ֑/י
בַּ֥נְתָּה
לְ֝/רֵעִ֗/י
מֵ/רָחֽוֹק
אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Pron
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
שִׁבְתִּ֣/י
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
וְ/קוּמִ֑/י
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
בַּ֥נְתָּה
bîyn
H995
to understand
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
לְ֝/רֵעִ֗/י
rêaʻ
H7454
thought
Prep | N-ms | Suff
מֵ/רָחֽוֹק
râchôwq
H7350
distant
Prep | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 139:2
אַתָּ֣ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
יָ֭דַעְתָּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
שִׁבְתִּ֣/י
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
וְ/קוּמִ֑/י
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
בַּ֥נְתָּה
bîyn
H995
"to understand"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To understand or discern, this verb means to separate mentally and know something with your mind, as seen in Proverbs where it talks about gaining insight.
Definition: 1) to discern, understand, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to perceive, discern 1a2) to understand, know (with the mind) 1a3) to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider 1a4) to have discernment, insight, understanding 1b) (Niphal) to be discerning, intelligent, discreet, have understanding 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to understand 1c2) to cause to understand, give understanding, teach 1d) (Hithpolel) to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently 1e) (Polel) to teach, instruct 2) (TWOT) prudent, regard
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). See also: Genesis 41:33; Psalms 139:2; Psalms 5:2.
לְ֝/רֵעִ֗/י
rêaʻ
H7454
"thought"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a thought or idea, often referring to a person's intention or purpose. It appears in various books, including Proverbs and Psalms. This concept is key to understanding human decision-making.
Definition: purpose, aim, thought
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: thought. See also: Psalms 139:2; Psalms 139:17.
מֵ/רָחֽוֹק
râchôwq
H7350
"distant"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means something or someone is far away, either physically or in time. It is often used to describe distant lands or events that happened long ago. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: adj 1) remote, far, distant, distant lands, distant ones 1a) of distance, time n m 2) distance 2a) from a distance (with prep) Aramaic equivalent: ra.chiq (רְחִיק "far" H7352)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come. See also: Genesis 22:4; Psalms 65:6; Psalms 10:1.
Study Notes — Psalms 139:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 139:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 139:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 139:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 139:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 139:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
- Sermons on Psalms 139:2
Context — You Have Searched Me and Known Me
1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. 4Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 9:4 | But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? |
| 2 | 2 Kings 19:27 | But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me. |
| 3 | Psalms 94:11 | The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile. |
| 4 | Luke 9:47 | But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. |
| 5 | John 2:24–25 | But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man. |
| 6 | Isaiah 37:28 | But I know your sitting down, your going out and coming in, and your raging against Me. |
| 7 | Proverbs 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. |
| 8 | Zechariah 4:10 | For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” |
| 9 | Psalms 56:8 | You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle— are they not in Your book? |
| 10 | 2 Kings 6:12 | But one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” |
Psalms 139:2 Summary
[This verse means that God is always paying attention to what we're doing and thinking, even when we're not aware of it. He knows us so well that He can understand what we're thinking, even if we don't say it out loud, as Psalms 139:4 says. This is a comforting thought, because it means that God cares about every detail of our lives, and as Matthew 10:30 says, even the hairs on our head are numbered. It also means that we can trust Him to guide us and take care of us, no matter what we're going through.]
Frequently Asked Questions
How can God know my every move and thought?
According to Psalms 139:2, God's knowledge of us is not limited by time or space, and as Jeremiah 23:24 says, He fills heaven and earth, so He is always aware of our actions and thoughts.
Is God's knowledge of me a good thing or a bad thing?
God's knowledge of us is a good thing, because as Psalms 139:2 shows, it means He cares about every detail of our lives, and as Romans 8:29 says, He works all things together for our good.
How does God understand my thoughts from afar?
While we can't fully understand how God knows our thoughts, Psalms 139:2 says He understands them from afar, which means He knows us better than we know ourselves, as 1 Corinthians 2:11 says, no one knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, but God knows everything.
Does God's knowledge of me mean I have no freedom to make choices?
No, God's knowledge of us does not mean we have no freedom, as Psalms 139:2 shows, God's knowledge is not a limitation on our freedom, but rather a demonstration of His love and care for us, and as Deuteronomy 30:19 says, we still have the power to choose between life and death, blessings and curses.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can apply the truth of God's constant awareness of me to my daily life?
- How does the fact that God knows my every thought and action challenge me to live a more honest and transparent life?
- In what ways can I use the knowledge that God knows and cares about every detail of my life to find comfort and peace in times of uncertainty?
- How can I use Psalms 139:2 to help me trust God more fully with my life and my future?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,.... Here the psalmist proceeds to observe the particular circumstances and actions of his life, which were known to God; as his "downsitting", either to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising - "my down-sitting," to rest after work, and "mine up-rising," to go to work (Psalms 127:2).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
Known me, i.e. known me exactly, as men do those things which they diligently search out. My downsitting and mine uprising; all my postures and motions, my actions and my cessations from action. My thought; all my secret counsels and designs. Afar off; before they are perfectly formed in my mind. Thou knowest what my thoughts will be in such and such circumstances long before I know it, yea, from all eternity.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.Ver. 2. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising] All my postures, gestures, practices, sive sedeam, sive surgam, whether I sit, stand, walk, lie; thou searchest and knowest all. Some search, but know not; thou dost both; thine eyes behold, thine eyelids try, the children of men, Psalms 11:4. Thou understandest my thought] Heb. my familiar thoughts, such as I am delighted in; voluntatem meam, some render it, my will; others, propinquitatem meam, my nearness, and that afar off, even from heaven, being intimo meo mihi intimior, not so far from me as the bark is from the tree, the skin from the flesh, or the flesh from the bones. Afar off] Eminus, a longe praenovisti, antequam moveantur, saith Chrysostom; thou knowest my thoughts before I have conceived them; my thoughts in posse, from all eternity; so great is thy sagacity and perspicacity. As a man that knoweth what roots he hath in his garden, though there be not a flower appearing, yet he can say, when the spring comes, this and this will come up; so here, God knows our whole frame, our principles, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
(2) Down-sitting and uprising—as in Deuteronomy 6:7, to denote the whole daily life—business and rest. Thought.—An Aramaic form found nowhere else, but, from one possible derivation (“companion”), meaning the thoughts which are inseparable companions, most intimate thoughts.Comp. Macbeth 3:2: “How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companions making?” Afar off.—Exactly as in Psalms 138:6. Jehovah notes and recognises the proud from afar off, so here though He has His home in heaven He knows what are the thoughts and feelings amid which a man habitually lives. (Comp. Job 22:12-13.) The Hebrew expression literally means, thou hast intelligence as to my thought from afar, an Aramaic expression.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
Verse 2. My downsitting and mine uprising] Even these inconsiderable and casual things are under thy continual notice. I cannot so much as take a seat, or leave it, without being marked by thee. Thou understandest my thought] לרעי lerei, "my cogitation." This word is Chaldee, see Daniel 2:29-30. Afar off.] While the figment is forming that shall produce them.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 139:2
2. Thou knowest] Thou is emphatic. It is God alone Who possesses this absolute knowledge of His creatures. my downsitting and mine uprising] My whole life, at rest or in activity. Cp. Psalms 127:2; Deuteronomy 6:7. thought] The word used here and in Psalms 139:17 is an Aramaism, found here only in the O.T. afar off] Cp. Psalms 138:6; Jeremiah 23:23. The P.B.V. long before is also a possible rendering. Neither space nor time exist for God.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting ... - In the various circumstances of life, thou knowest me. Thou knowest me in one place as well as in another.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 139:2
2. Downsitting and… uprising—That is, my hours of rest and of activity, my most retired and most familiar life. Afar off—Literally, From afar. From thy remotest heaven thou knowest me as if I were before thee.
Sermons on Psalms 139:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Blotted Out by Mel Trotter | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a boy in Chicago who confessed to killing his parents. The boy's confession was recorded on a dictaphone, and when played back, it |
|
The Deceitfulness of the Heart by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the deceptive nature of sin and the false promises it offers. He warns against being deceived by the temporary pleasures and illusions of si |
|
God's Peace Guarding You From Anxious Thoughts by James Jennings by James Malachi Jennings | This sermon delves into Philippians chapter 4, emphasizing the importance of not being anxious but instead bringing all requests to God in prayer with thanksgiving. The passage hig |
|
Amos 4:12 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the urgency of preparing to meet God, highlighting how God has sent various warnings and judgments to prompt repentance. He explains that calamities serve as |
|
God's Anatomy Upon Man's Heart by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the omniscience of God, emphasizing that all things are naked and open before His eyes. He calls for humility, repentance, and soul-affliction in the f |
|
Gps by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch preaches about the concept of God's Positioning System (GPS) in our lives, drawing parallels between the technology of GPS and God's guidance. He emphasizes how God, li |
|
A Great High-Priest - His Sympathy and Compassion by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the compassionate and sympathizing High Priest in the courts of heaven, emphasizing the necessity of sympathy and compassion in a high priest as a media |