Psalms 139 Commentary
Please choose a passage:
Psalm 139:1-4
God has taken the time to know His creation intimately and understands everything about His people. There is not an action we have done or will do that could surprise Him.
Psalm 139:5-6
God surrounds David, protecting him. The idea of how this is possible, or why God would do it, is beyond David’s comprehension, but he marvels at it.
Psalm 139:7-10
God is in all places at all times, so it is impossible to flee from Him. He is always present and reaching out to guide His people.
Psalm 139:11-12
David realizes he cannot hide his evildoing from God in the darkness. God can see clearly through the dark, because He is in control of all things.
Psalm 139:13-16
God had a direct hand in David’s creation, putting every part of him together in his mother’s womb. Thus, David knows that his existence is very valuable. Nothing about him is unknown to God; not what he has done, is doing, or will do.
Psalm 139:17-18
God’s thoughts are innumerable and valuable. It is impossible to know or understand them all. However, they do not prevent Him from always being with David.
Psalm 139:19-22
David expresses his hope that the wicked will suffer for their disobedience, renouncing them from his life. He instead focuses on his own pursuit of righteousness.
Psalm 139:23-24
David asks God to examine him and his character, identifying the sin so that God can show him the way to eternal life.
Additional Resources
King David reflects on the character of God. God has taken the time to know His creation intimately and understands everything about His people. There is not an action we have done or will do that could surprise Him.
God surrounds David, protecting him. The idea of how this is possible, or why God would do it, is beyond David’s comprehension, but he marvels at it. God is in all places at all times, so it is impossible to flee from Him. He is always present and reaching out to guide His people. He can see clearly through the dark, because He is in control of all things.
God had a direct hand in David’s creation, putting every part of him together in his mother’s womb. Thus, David knows that his existence is very valuable. Nothing about him is unknown to God; not what he has done, is doing, or will do.
God’s thoughts are innumerable and valuable. It is impossible to know or understand them all. However, they do not prevent Him from always being with David.
David expresses his hope that the wicked will suffer for their disobedience, renouncing them from his life. He instead focuses on his own pursuit of righteousness. He asks God to examine him and his character, identifying the sin so that God can show him the way to eternal life.
View Psalms on the Timeline