Bible Commentaries
Psalms 139

Verse 2

139:2 Thou knowest my {a} downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

(a) He confesses that neither our actions, thoughts or any part of our life can be hid from God, though he seems to be far off.

Verse 3

139:3 Thou {b} compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.

(b) So that they are evidently known to you.

Verse 4

139:4 For [there is] not a word in my {c} tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

(c) You know my meaning before I speak.

Verse 5

139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine {d} hand upon me.

(d) You so guide me with your hand, that I can turn no way, but where you appoint me.

Verse 7

139:7 Whither shall I go from thy {e} spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

(e) From your power and knowledge?

Verse 10

139:10 Even there shall thy hand {f} lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

(f) Your power holds me so fast that there is no way I can escape from you.

Verse 11

139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be {g} light about me.

(g) Though darkness is a hinderance to man’s sight, yet is serves your eyes as well as the light.

Verse 13

139:13 For thou hast {h} possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

(h) You have made me in all parts and therefore must know me.

Verse 14

139:14 I will praise thee; for I am {i} fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

(i) Considering your wonderful work in forming me, I cannot but praise you and fear your mighty power.

Verse 15

139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought {k} in the lowest parts of the earth.

(k) That is, in my mother’s womb: which he compares to the inward parts of the earth.

Verse 16

139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; {l} and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.

(l) Seeing that you knew me before I was composed of either flesh or bone, much more now must you know me when you have fashioned me.

Verse 17

139:17 How {m} precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

(m) How should we esteem the excellent declaration of your wisdom in the creation of man?

Verse 18

139:18 [If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, {n} I am still with thee.

(n) I continually see new opportunity to meditate in your wisdom, and to praise you.

Verse 21

139:21 Do not I {o} hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

(o) He teaches us boldly to contemn all the hatred of the wicked and friendship of the world, when they would prevent us from serving God sincerely.

Verse 24

139:24 And see if [there be any] {p} wicked way in me, and lead me in the {q} way everlasting.

(p) Or any heinous or rebellious way: meaning that though he was subject to sin, yet he was not given to wickedness, and to provoke God by rebellion.

(q) That is, continue your favour toward me to the end.