Psalm 139
To the chief musician, a psalm of David (abridged)
God knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts, our ways, our words. If we go up to heaven, down to hell, or to the uttermost parts of the sea, God is there. He “covered” us in our mother’s womb. The psalmist prays that God will search him to see “if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” When a person faces wickedness and deceit, Psalm 139 provides assurance of God’s sovereign creation and care.
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O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. . . . I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. |