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Psalms 139

BSB·24 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1O LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, You have searched meחֲ֝קַרְתַּ֗נִיḥă·qar·ta·nî — to search out, investigate, or examine thoroughlyH2713 — Full Word Study → and known meוַתֵּדָֽע׃wat·tê·ḏā‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study →. 2Youאַתָּ֣ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → knowיָ֭דַעְתָּyā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → when I sitשִׁבְתִּ֣יšiḇ·tî — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → and when I riseוְקוּמִ֑יwə·qū·mî — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →; You understandבַּ֥נְתָּהban·tāh — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study → my thoughtsלְ֝רֵעִ֗יlə·rê·‘î — thought, intention, purpose, or schemeH7454 — Full Word Study → from afarמֵרָחֽוֹק׃mê·rā·ḥō·wq — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study →. 3You search outזֵרִ֑יתָzê·rî·ṯā — to scatter, winnow, or disperseH2219 — Full Word Study → my pathאָרְחִ֣י’ā·rə·ḥî — to journey, travel, go as a wayfarerH732 — Full Word Study → and my lying downוְרִבְעִ֣יwə·riḇ·‘î — to lie down, recline, restH7252 — Full Word Study →; You are awareהִסְכַּֽנְתָּה׃his·kan·tāh — to be profitable, useful, or advantageousH5532 — Full Word Study → of allוְֽכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my waysדְּרָכַ֥יdə·rā·ḵay — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →. 4Evenכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → before a wordמִ֭לָּהmil·lāh — speech, word, matter, thing saidH4405 — Full Word Study → is on my tongueבִּלְשׁוֹנִ֑יbil·šō·w·nî — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study →, You knowיָדַ֥עְתָּyā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → all about itכֻלָּֽהּ׃ḵul·lāh — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְ֝הוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 5You hem me inצַרְתָּ֑נִיṣar·tā·nî — to besiege, confine, or press inH6696 — Full Word Study → behindאָח֣וֹר’ā·ḥō·wr — back, behind, rear; afterward, futureH268 — Full Word Study → and beforeוָקֶ֣דֶםwā·qe·ḏem — East; ancient times; beforeH6924 — Full Word Study →; You have laidוַתָּ֖שֶׁתwat·tā·šeṯ — to set, place, or appointH7896 — Full Word Study → Your handכַּפֶּֽכָה׃kap·pe·ḵāh — Palm of the hand; hollow of anything; power or controlH3709 — Full Word Study → upon meעָלַ֣י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for meמִמֶּ֑נִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, too loftyנִ֝שְׂגְּבָ֗הniś·gə·ḇāh — to set on high, to be exalted, to defend or protectH7682 — Full Word Study → for me to attainא֥וּכַֽל’ū·ḵal — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study →. 7Whereאָ֭נָ֥ה’ā·nāh — Where? Whither? (interrogative/indefinite adverb of place)H575 — Full Word Study → can I goאֵלֵ֣ךְ’ê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → to escape Your Spiritמֵרוּחֶ֑ךָmê·rū·ḥe·ḵā — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →? Whereוְ֝אָ֗נָהwə·’ā·nāh — Where? Whither? (interrogative/indefinite adverb of place)H575 — Full Word Study → can I fleeאֶבְרָֽח׃’eḇ·rāḥ — To flee or escape in hasteH1272 — Full Word Study → from Your presenceמִפָּנֶ֥יךָmip·pā·ne·ḵā — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →? 8Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → I ascendאֶסַּ֣ק’es·saq — to ascend, go up, climbH5266 — Full Word Study → to the heavensשָׁ֭מַיִםšā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, Youאָ֑תָּה’āt·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are thereשָׁ֣םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →; if I make my bedוְאַצִּ֖יעָהwə·’aṣ·ṣî·‘āh — to lay down, spread out, or make a bedH3331 — Full Word Study → in Sheolשְּׁא֣וֹלšə·’ō·wl — The grave; the abode of the dead; the underworldH7585 — Full Word Study →, You are thereהִנֶּֽךָּ׃hin·ne·kā — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →. 9If I rise onאֶשָּׂ֥א’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the wingsכַנְפֵי־ḵan·p̄ê- — wing; edge, border, cornerH3671 — Full Word Study → of the dawnשָׁ֑חַרšā·ḥar — Dawn, early morning, daybreakH7837 — Full Word Study →, if I settleאֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה’eš·kə·nāh — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → by the farthestבְּאַחֲרִ֥יתbə·’a·ḥă·rîṯ — End, latter time, final outcomeH319 — Full Word Study → seaיָֽם׃yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, 10evenגַּם־ga·mō·šā- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֭םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → Your handיָדְךָ֣yā·ḏə·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → will guide meתַנְחֵ֑נִיṯan·ḥê·nî — To lead, guide, direct with authorityH5148 — Full Word Study →; Your right handיְמִינֶֽךָ׃yə·mî·ne·ḵā — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → will hold me fastוְֽתֹאחֲזֵ֥נִיwə·ṯō·ḥă·zê·nî — to grasp, seize, or take hold ofH270 — Full Word Study →. 11If I sayוָ֭אֹמַרwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Surelyאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → the darknessחֹ֣שֶׁךְḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study → will hide meיְשׁוּפֵ֑נִיyə·šū·p̄ê·nî — to bruise, strike, or crushH7779 — Full Word Study →, and the lightא֣וֹר’ō·wr — Light; brightness; illuminationH216 — Full Word Study → become nightוְ֝לַ֗יְלָהwə·lay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → around meבַּעֲדֵֽנִי׃ba·‘ă·ḏê·nî — through, by means of, on behalf ofH1157 — Full Word Study →”— 12evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the darknessחֹשֶׁךְ֮ḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study → is notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → darkיַחְשִׁ֪יךְyaḥ·šîḵ — To darken, obscure, or hideH2821 — Full Word Study → to Youמִ֫מֶּ֥ךָmim·me·ḵā — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, but the nightוְ֭לַיְלָהwə·lay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → shinesיָאִ֑ירyā·’îr — to shine, give light, become brightH215 — Full Word Study → like the dayכַּיּ֣וֹםkay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, for darknessכַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗הka·ḥă·šê·ḵāh — Darkness; obscurity; gloomH2825 — Full Word Study → is as light to Youכָּאוֹרָֽה׃kā·’ō·w·rāh — Light, luminosity, or brightness; prosperity and flourishingH219 — Full Word Study →. 13Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Youאַ֭תָּה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → formedקָנִ֣יתָqā·nî·ṯā — to acquire, buy, or possess through paymentH7069 — Full Word Study → my inmost beingכִלְיֹתָ֑יḵil·yō·ṯāy — Kidney; seat of emotion and conscienceH3629 — Full Word Study →; You knit me togetherתְּ֝סֻכֵּ֗נִיtə·suk·kê·nî — to cover, protect, fence in, shieldH5526 — Full Word Study → in my mother’sאִמִּֽי׃’im·mî — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → wombבְּבֶ֣טֶןbə·ḇe·ṭen — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study →. 14I praiseאֽוֹדְךָ֗’ō·wḏ·ḵā — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → Youעַ֤ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I am fearfullyנוֹרָא֗וֹתnō·w·rā·’ō·wṯ — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → and wonderfully madeנִ֫פְלֵ֥יתִיnip̄·lê·ṯî — to distinguish, set apart, make separateH6395 — Full Word Study →. Marvelousנִפְלָאִ֥יםnip̄·lā·’îm — to be wonderful, perform miracles, do marvelous thingsH6381 — Full Word Study → are Your works, and Iוְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗יwə·nap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → know thisיֹדַ֥עַתyō·ḏa·‘aṯ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → very wellמְאֹֽד׃mə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study →. 15My frameעָצְמִ֗י‘ā·ṣə·mî — strength, might, power, or substanceH6108 — Full Word Study → was notלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hiddenנִכְחַ֥דniḵ·ḥaḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → from Youמִ֫מֶּ֥ךָּmim·me·kā — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → whenאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → I was madeעֻשֵּׂ֥יתִי‘uś·śê·ṯî — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → in secretבַסֵּ֑תֶרḇas·sê·ṯer — hiding place, shelter, concealmentH5643 — Full Word Study →, when I was woven togetherרֻ֝קַּ֗מְתִּיruq·qam·tî — To weave, embroider, create intricate needleworkH7551 — Full Word Study → in the depthsבְּֽתַחְתִּיּ֥וֹתbə·ṯaḥ·tî·yō·wṯ — lower, beneath, underside; lowest partH8482 — Full Word Study → of the earthאָֽרֶץ׃’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 16Your eyesעֵינֶ֗יךָ‘ê·ne·ḵā — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → sawרָ֘א֤וּrā·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → my unformed bodyגָּלְמִ֤י׀gā·lə·mî — Unformed substance; embryo; shapeless massH1564 — Full Word Study →; allכֻּלָּ֪םkul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → my daysיָמִ֥יםyā·mîm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → were writtenיִכָּ֫תֵ֥בוּyik·kā·ṯê·ḇū — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study → inוְעַֽל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Your bookסִפְרְךָ֮sip̄·rə·ḵā — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study → and ordained for meיֻצָּ֑רוּyuṣ·ṣā·rū — to form, shape, fashion, or createH3335 — Full Word Study → before one of them came to beאֶחָ֣ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study →. 17Howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → precious to meיָּקְר֣וּyā·qə·rū — to be precious, honored, or highly valuedH3365 — Full Word Study → are Your thoughtsרֵעֶ֣יךָrê·‘e·ḵā — thought, intention, purpose, or schemeH7454 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֵ֑ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, howמֶ֥הmeh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → vastעָ֝צְמוּ‘ā·ṣə·mū — to be strong, to close, to bind fastH6105 — Full Word Study → is their sumרָאשֵׁיהֶֽם׃rā·šê·hem — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study →! 18If I were to count them, they would outnumberיִרְבּ֑וּןyir·būn — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → the grains of sandמֵח֣וֹלmê·ḥō·wl — Sand; fine granules of rock or mineral matterH2344 — Full Word Study →; and when I awakeהֱ֝קִיצֹ֗תִיhĕ·qî·ṣō·ṯî — to awake, arise from sleep or inactivityH6974 — Full Word Study →, I am stillוְעוֹדִ֥יwə·‘ō·w·ḏî — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → with Youעִמָּֽךְ׃‘im·māḵ — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →. 19Oאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → Godאֱל֥וֹהַּ׀’ĕ·lō·w·ah — God; divine being; deityH433 — Full Word Study →, that You would slayתִּקְטֹ֖לtiq·ṭōl — to kill, slay, put to deathH6991 — Full Word Study → the wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →awayס֣וּרוּsū·rū — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → from meמֶֽנִּי׃men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, you bloodthirstyדָ֝מִ֗יםḏā·mîm — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → menוְאַנְשֵׁ֥יwə·’an·šê — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → 20whoאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → speak of Youיֹ֭אמְרֻךָyō·mə·ru·ḵā — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → deceitfullyלִמְזִמָּ֑הlim·zim·māh — wicked plot, malicious scheme, or lustful intentionH4209 — Full Word Study →; Your enemiesעָרֶֽיךָ׃‘ā·re·ḵā — enemy, adversary, foeH6145 — Full Word Study → takeנָשֻׂ֖אnā·śu — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → Your name in vain. 21Do I notהֲלֽוֹא־hă·lō·w- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hateמְשַׂנְאֶ֖יךָmə·śan·’e·ḵā — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → those who hate Youאֶשְׂנָ֑א’eś·nā — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֥ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and detestאֶתְקוֹטָֽט׃’eṯ·qō·w·ṭāṭ — to loathe, feel disgust, abhorH6962 — Full Word Study → those who rise against Youוּ֝בִתְקוֹמְמֶ֗יךָū·ḇiṯ·qō·wm·me·ḵā — to rise up against, confront, opposeH8618 — Full Word Study →? 22I hate themשְׂנֵאתִ֑יםśə·nê·ṯîm — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study → with perfectתַּכְלִ֣יתtaḵ·lîṯ — end, limit, perfection, completionH8503 — Full Word Study → hatredשִׂנְאָ֣הśin·’āh — hatred, intense dislikeH8135 — Full Word Study →; I count themהָ֣יוּhā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → as my enemiesלְ֝אוֹיְבִ֗יםlə·’ō·wy·ḇîm — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study →. 23Search meחָקְרֵ֣נִיḥā·qə·rê·nî — to search out, investigate, or examine thoroughlyH2713 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֵ֭ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, and knowוְדַ֣עwə·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → my heartלְבָבִ֑יlə·ḇā·ḇî — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →; test meבְּ֝חָנֵ֗נִיbə·ḥā·nê·nî — to test, examine, or prove through trialH974 — Full Word Study → and knowוְדַ֣עwə·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → my concernsשַׂרְעַפָּֽי׃śar·‘ap·pāy — anxious thought, worry, concernH8312 — Full Word Study →. 24Seeוּרְאֵ֗הū·rə·’êh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → there is any offensiveעֹ֥צֶב‘ō·ṣeḇ — idol; sorrow, painH6090 — Full Word Study → wayדֶּֽרֶךְ־de·reḵ- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → in me; lead meוּ֝נְחֵ֗נִיū·nə·ḥê·nî — To lead, guide, direct with authorityH5148 — Full Word Study → in the wayבְּדֶ֣רֶךְbə·ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → everlastingעוֹלָֽם׃‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 139
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 139 is one of Scripture's most profound meditations on God's omniscience—His complete and perfect knowledge of all things. The psalmist David celebrates the reality that God knows him completely, from his innermost thoughts to his physical movements, and that there is nowhere he can flee from God's presence. This psalm moves from wonder at God's knowledge (verses 1-12), to praise for God's creative work in forming human life (verses 13-18), to a passionate declaration of loyalty to God against His enemies (verses 19-22), and finally to an earnest prayer for personal examination and guidance (verses 23-24). It is a psalm that simultaneously comforts the believer and convicts the conscience.

Verses 1-5: God's Complete Knowledge of Us

David opens by acknowledging that the Lord has "searched me, and known me" (v. 1). This is not distant, academic knowledge but intimate, thorough acquaintance. God knows David's "downsitting and uprising" (v. 2)—his rest and his activity, his private moments and his public life. Most remarkably, the Lord "understandeth my thought afar off" (v. 2), meaning God perceives David's thoughts before they are even fully formed. Verses 3-4 extend this: God "compassest my path" (surrounds it with knowledge), knows all his ways, and knows every word before it leaves his tongue. This culminates in verse 5 with the striking image of being "beset...behind and before"—God surrounds David completely with His knowledge and lays His hand upon him. The psalmist is not describing surveillance as threatening but as the caring attention of a shepherd.

Verses 6-12: Wonder at God's Omnipresence

David responds to this knowledge with wonder (v. 6): "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." Rather than resenting God's knowledge, he finds it wonderful and humbling. Verses 7-12 address a related truth—God's omnipresence. The psalmist asks rhetorical questions: Where can he flee from God's Spirit? Even if he ascends to heaven or descends to hell (the grave), God is there (v. 8). Even if he takes "the wings of the morning" to dwell in the sea's uttermost parts (v. 9)—traveling to the farthest reaches imaginable—God's hand would lead and hold him (v. 10). Darkness provides no hiding place either (vv. 11-12); to God, darkness and light are both alike. This passage teaches that separation from God is impossible for the believer. Rather than a threat, this is meant to be deeply comforting: we cannot fall beyond God's reach or care.

Verses 13-18: Praise for God's Creative Work

The psalm shifts to gratitude for creation. God "possessed my reins" (v. 13) and "covered me in my mother's womb." In verse 14, David declares, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." This verse celebrates the dignity and design of human life. Verses 15-16 speak poetically of God's knowledge of us even before our birth—when we were "made in secret" and "curiously wrought" in the womb. God's eyes saw our "substance, yet being unperfect"; all our members were written in God's book before they were fashioned. This passage powerfully affirms the value and purpose of every human life from conception. Verses 17-18 return to wonder: God's thoughts toward us are precious beyond number—more than the sand—and even in sleep, we remain in His presence.

Verses 19-22: Righteous Hatred of God's Enemies

The tone shifts sharply. David calls upon God to slay the wicked (v. 19) and demands that bloodthirsty men depart from him. These are those who "speak against thee wickedly" and "take thy name in vain" (v. 20). David declares that he hates those who hate God with "perfect hatred" (v. 22)—not selfish enmity but righteous opposition to God's enemies. This reflects genuine love for God's honor.

Verses 23-24: Prayer for Personal Examination

The psalm concludes with David inviting God's searching knowledge inward: "Search me, O God, and know my heart" (v. 23). He asks God to try his thoughts, reveal any wicked way in him, and lead him in "the way everlasting" (v. 24). The omniscience celebrated at the psalm's opening becomes a tool for sanctification.

Application for Today

Psalm 139 invites us to find comfort in God's complete knowledge and presence. Rather than fear being "found out," believers can rest in the truth that we are known and loved completely by our Father. This should humble us, comfort us, and inspire us to holiness. Like David, we should invite God's examination of our hearts, asking Him to refine us and lead us in His ways. In a world offering false promises of privacy and autonomy, this psalm calls us back to the joy of being fully known by the One who made us and fully loved in Christ.

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