Psalms 139
1You have searched me, Lord,and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down;you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongueyou, Lord, know it completely. 5You hem me in behind and before,and you lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,too lofty for me to attain. 7Where can I go from your Spirit?Where can I flee from your presence? 8If I go up to the heavens, you are there;if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10even there your hand will guide me,your right hand will hold me fast. 11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide meand the light become night around me,” 12even the darkness will not be dark to you;the night will shine like the day,for darkness is as light to you. 13For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well. 15My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your bookbefore one of them came to be. 17How precious to me are your thoughts, God!How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them,they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you. 19If only you, God, would slay the wicked!Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20They speak of you with evil intent;your adversaries misuse your name. 21Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22I have nothing but hatred for them;I count them my enemies. 23Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.
Study Context for Psalms 139
As you study Psalms 139, keep in mind the overarching themes of this old testament book: Worship, Lament, Praise. Observe how the specific events or teachings in this chapter contribute to the book's broader message.
WorshipLamentPraise
Observation: What does Psalms 139 reveal about the character and nature of God? What does it reveal about humanity?
Application: How does the truth presented in this chapter change how you should live, think, or pray today?
Read in context:Psalms 138Psalms 140
Study introductions and prompts are supplementary aids, not Scripture. They do not replace prayerful reading, the authority of Scripture, a faithful local church, or pastoral care.
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