Psalms - Chapter 139

Psalms 139.1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Psalms 139.2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Psalms 139.3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Psalms 139.5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalms 139.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Psalms 139.7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? Psalms 139.8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Psalms 139.9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Psalms 139.10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalms 139.11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Psalms 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. Psalms 139.13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalms 139.14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalms 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. Psalms 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. Psalms 139.17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! Psalms 139.18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. Psalms 139.19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. Psalms 139.20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Psalms 139.21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? Psalms 139.22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. Psalms 139.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Psalms 139.24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms : Chapter 139

God's Intimate Knowledge: Reflection on Psalm 139

Psalm 139 celebrates God's intimate knowledge of us. How well does God know us? This profound psalm explores divine omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. The text declares that God knows every thought, word, and deed, being present everywhere. Themes such as the wonder of creation, the inability to escape God, and the desire for purity are prominent.

Psalm 139 invites introspection and awe. Join us in exploring five passages that expand the concept of divine knowledge presented in this fascinating psalm.

1. Jeremiah 23:24

"Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?" asks the Lord. "Do not I fill the heavens and the earth?" This verse reflects the theme of God's omnipresence expressed in Psalm 139:7-12.

2. Work 10:8

"Your hands have made me and formed me; will You now turn against me and destroy me?" This passage refers to Psalm 139:13-16, which speaks of God forming the psalmist in his mother's womb.

3. Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse echoes the sentiment of Psalm 139:7-12, about the inescapability of escaping God's presence.

4. Amos 4:13

"He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man; he who turns the dawn into darkness and treads the high places of the earth—the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name." This passage reflects the theme of the knowledge and power of God expressed in Psalm 139.

5. Matthew 10:30

"And even the hairs of your head are all numbered." This verse relates to Psalm 139:1-4, about God's intimate knowledge of each person.

By meditating on these verses, we can deepen our understanding of the personal relationship we have with God, a God who knows us intimately and loves us unconditionally.