“Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far away.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all.”

“You have encircled me behind and in front,
And placed Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot comprehend it.”

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
If I take up the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will take hold of me.”

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,’
Even darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.”

“For You created my innermost parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You,
Because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes have seen my formless substance;
And in Your book were written
All the days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.”

“How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.”

“If only You would put the wicked to death, God;
Leave me, you men of bloodshed.
For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate those who hate You, Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.”

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 139, a psalm of David, is a masterpiece of divine intimacy and reverence. David meditates on how fully God knows him, how inescapably present He is, and how lovingly He has formed every human life.

It begins with awe at God’s knowledge, moves to amazement at His presence, transitions into worship for His creative power, and concludes with a plea for purification and guidance.

This psalm reminds believers that we are fully known, deeply loved, and never beyond God’s presence.

Key Themes:

1. God’s Omniscience: He knows every thought, word, and action (v. 1–6).
2. God’s Omnipresence: His presence fills heaven, earth, and even the depths (v. 7–12).
3. God’s Creative Power: He forms every life with purpose and care (v. 13–16).
4. God’s Loving Thoughts: His thoughts toward us are vast and precious (v. 17–18).
5. God’s Holiness and Justice: The psalmist rejects the wicked and defends God’s honor (v. 19–22).
6. God’s Refining Guidance: The psalm closes in prayer for cleansing and direction (v. 23–24).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 139 reveals a God who knows, surrounds, and sustains His people with perfect love and holy purpose:

• God knows you completely – “You have searched me and known me” (v. 1) mirrors Hebrews 4:13: nothing is hidden from His sight.
• You are never outside His reach – “Where can I go from Your Spirit?” (v. 7) reflects Romans 8:39: nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
• God formed you with purpose – “You knit me together in my mother’s womb” (v. 13) aligns with Jeremiah 1:5: before I formed you, I knew you.
• God’s plans for you are intentional and good – “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book” (v. 16) connects to Ephesians 2:10: we are His workmanship, created for good works.
• Invite God’s searching light – “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (v. 23) parallels Psalm 51:10: create in me a clean heart, O God.

Application

• Rest in Being Fully Known: Let God’s intimate knowledge of you bring comfort, not fear.
• Live Aware of His Presence: Wherever you go, He is with you.
• Celebrate His Design in You: You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
• Trust His Purpose for Your Life: Every day is written by His hand.
• Invite His Refining Work: Ask Him to search, test, and lead you in the everlasting way.

Closing Thought

You are fully known, completely loved, and never alone. From your first breath to your final day, the Lord surrounds, guides, and holds you.
“Search me, God, and know my heart… and lead me in the everlasting way.”