Psalms 139
Psalms 139 summary
David marvels that God knows him completely, is present everywhere, and formed him in the womb — ending with a prayer to be searched and led by God.
Psalm 139 is a meditation on God's intimate knowledge, inescapable presence, and creative care, moving from wonder to self-examination.
The movement of the psalm
It unfolds in four movements: God's complete knowledge of David ("thou hast searched me, and known me," Psalm 139:1-6); his presence in every place, even in darkness or the depths (Psalm 139:7-12); his forming of David in the womb, where he was "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-16); and the preciousness of God's thoughts (Psalm 139:17-18). It closes with a turn against evil and a prayer: "Search me, O God, and know my heart... and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
Key themes
God's omniscience and omnipresence are not abstract here but personal and comforting — and finally searching. The psalm grounds human dignity in being known and made by God before birth.
How it has been read
Christians have found here both assurance and accountability: the God from whom we cannot hide is the God who loves and made us. The psalm's wonder at life in the womb has long shaped Christian reflection on the value of every human life, and its closing prayer models honest openness before the God who knows us best.
Read Psalms 139
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.
3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. compassest: or, winnowest
4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
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?
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. hideth: Heb. darkeneth not the darkness and: Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light
13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. right: Heb. greatly
15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. substance: or, strength, or, body
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. all: Heb. all of them which: or, what days they should be fashioned
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.
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.
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. wicked: Heb. way of pain, or, grief
People in this chapter
Topics & themes in Psalms 139
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalms 139 about?
David marvels that God knows him completely, is present everywhere, and formed him in the womb — ending with a prayer to be searched and led by God.
How many verses are in Psalms 139?
Psalms 139 contains 24 verses in the King James Version.
Is Psalms in the Old or New Testament?
Psalms is in the Old Testament of the Bible.
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