Psalms
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Psalm 139
Psalm 139
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.
4For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.
3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Commentary · verses 3-4
Since God knows our thoughts (cause), He knows what our actions will be and what words we will say (effect).
5Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Commentary · verses 5-7
David recognized he could not flee from God: God could be everywhere!
8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
9If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night; 12Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Commentary · verses 8-12
David listed some examples about how God is omnipresent.
Commentary · verse 12
The next four verses are translated very differently by the most well known versions of the Bible. The ASV and KJV are the most accurate interpretations. The differences between those two are presented.
13For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb.
13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
Commentary · verse 13
KJV began: "For thou hast possessed my reins:"
- The word "possessed" was Strong's #7069 qanah and was most often translated as "buy."
- The word "reins" was Strong's #3629 kilyah and was most often translated as "kidneys."
- The word "cover" was Strong's #5526 cakak and was defined as "hedged in, fenced in" even though it was most often translated as "cover" in the KJV.
14I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
15My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Commentary · verses 14-15
In the KJV, verse 15 began: "My substance was not hid from thee..."
- The word "substance" was Strong's #6108 otsem, occurred three times and was translated as "might," "strong," and "substance." The Strong's definition was "bones."
16Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.
16Thine 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.
Commentary · verse 16
In the KJV, verse 16 was: "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."
- The phrase "my substance, yet being unperfect" was Strong's #1564 golem which meant "embryo, fetus." This was the only usage of this Hebrew word in the Old Testament.
- The word "continuance" was Strong's #3117 yowm which was used over 2000 times in the Old Testament with 2008 of the usages translated as "day."
- The word "fashioned" was Strong's #3335 yatsar which meant "form, fashion, frame." The two most popular translations were "form" and "potter."
These four verses taken together stated the following:
"God formed us in the womb (Jeremiah 1) for a specific and unique purpose. God set before us certain things for us to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). However, it is our choice whether or not we do them."
17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.
19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men.
20For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain.
17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Commentary · verses 17-20
David asked for judgment from God against the wicked: his request.
21Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.
21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Commentary · verses 21-22
David made the enemies of God his own enemies: Justice.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Commentary · verses 23-24
David was contrastive. He wanted to know where he was wrong and he asked God to show him. Next was another psalm of prayer...
God has all the information about you. He understands all of your thoughts after you think them. David recognized God and began building his faith through understanding...