Psalms 139:14

139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. right: Heb. greatly

KJV

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I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows 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. substance: or, strength, or, body

What does Psalms 139:14 mean?

David praises God for the wonder of his own making — each person intricately and intentionally formed, fully known by the Creator.

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Context

Psalm 139 marvels that God knows David completely (Psalm 139:1-6), is present everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12), and formed him in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). Verse 14 is David's response of worship to the God who made him with such care.

Key words

"Fearfully" means with reverence and awe — the making of a human being is an awe-inspiring work. "Wonderfully made" speaks of being set apart, intricately distinguished. The praise is personal ("I am") and confident ("my soul knoweth right well"): David is sure of God's craftsmanship.

How it has been read

Believers have drawn from this verse a deep sense of human dignity and worth — each person is the intentional, wonderful work of God, fully known and formed by him (Psalm 139:13-16). It grounds awe at the Creator and gratitude for the gift of being made.

Hebrew interlinear

will

praiseיָדָהyâdâh/yaw-daw'/H3034physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)

thee;

for

fearfullyיָרֵאyârêʼ/yaw-ray'/H3372to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten

and

wonderfully

made:פָּלָהpâlâh/paw-law'/H6395to distinguish (literally or figuratively)

marvellousפָּלָאpâlâʼ/paw-law'/H6381properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

are

thy

works;מַעֲשֶׂהmaʻăseh/mah-as-eh'/H4639an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

and

that

soulנֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

knowethיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

right

well.מְאֹדmᵉʼôd/meh-ode'/H3966properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated)

right:

Heb.

greatly

Topics

Physiology

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 139:14.

Exodus 34:10

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

Genesis 15:1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 20:8

Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

Genesis 24:16

And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. very: Heb. good of countenance

Genesis 32:7

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

Psalms 9:1

To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 139:14 say?

Psalms 139:14 (King James Version) reads: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. right: Heb. greatly"

Is Psalms 139:14 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 139:14 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 139:14, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Psalms 139:14 →

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