*Psalm 139:1-24
Psalm 139 describes God’s omniscience and his intimate knowledge of each person.
- God’s Omniscience and Omnipresence:
- The psalmist begins by marveling at God’s intimate knowledge and awareness of him, acknowledging that God has searched him and known him thoroughly.
- He reflects on God’s omniscience, recognizing that God perceives his thoughts from afar and is acquainted with all his ways.
- God’s Protective Presence:
- The psalmist finds reassurance in God’s presence, acknowledging that there is nowhere he can flee from God’s Spirit or hide from His presence.
- He expresses wonder at God’s constant presence, whether he ascends to the heavens, makes his bed in Sheol, or travels to the farthest seas.
- Divine Formation and Purpose:
- The psalmist reflects on God’s creative power and involvement in his formation in his mother’s womb, acknowledging God’s intricate workmanship and design.
- He praises God for his fearfully and wonderfully made body and soul, recognizing God’s sovereign plan and purpose for his life.
- Desire for Righteousness and Deliverance:
- The psalmist appeals to God to search and know his heart, testing his thoughts and leading him in the way of everlasting righteousness.
- He expresses a desire for God to deliver him from wickedness and lead him in the path of life, away from the ways of falsehood and evil.
- Call for Reflection and Surrender:
- The psalmist concludes by inviting God to examine his heart and thoughts, asking Him to remove any offensive way and lead him in the way of everlasting life.
- He expresses willingness to surrender to God’s guidance and authority, trusting in His wisdom and righteousness.
139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
139:3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
139:4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
139:6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
139:10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
139:12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
139:19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
139:21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.