PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:1. The closing request of this hymn (“search me, O God, and know my heart”) echoes the opening statement. This highlights the psalm’s theme: God’s knowledge of his people. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:5 LAY YOUR HAND UPON ME. A gentle, reassuring gesture. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:7 The next section makes it clear that there is no way the singer can escape such knowledge. There is nowhere in the universe that God will not be present to LEAD and HOLD the believer, and nowhere too DARK for God to see him. Some have supposed that the impulse to FLEE come... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:8 These verses use two pairs of opposites: HEAVEN and SHEOL; THE WINGS OF THE MORNING and THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE SEA. This indicates that everything in between is included. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:13 These verses illustrate the point of vv. Psalms 139:11 by describing a particular “dark place” where the Lord saw and cared for the singer, namely, his MOTHER’S WOMB. God was active as the UNFORMED SUBSTANCE (embryo) grew and developed. God is the one who FORMED MY INWARD... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:14 I AM FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE. If the esv text is followed, the statement helps the worshiper to marvel over the mysterious process of a developing baby. The esv footnote translation, “I am fearfully set apart,” takes the word to be the term for God setting his peop... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:15 IN THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH. As a parallel to IN SECRET, this would be a poetic expression for the darkness and secrecy of the womb. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:17 These verses provide the right response to the vast extent of God’s THOUGHTS. Verse Psalms 139:18 seems to picture the hopelessness of trying to COUNT God’s thoughts: the number is so large that one would fall asleep attempting it. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElements... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:19 The WICKED person, who joins with MEN OF BLOOD, who SPEAK AGAINST God WITH MALICIOUS INTENT, is someone who actively opposes God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 139:23 In view of these reflections, the members of the congregation invite God to continue his work of searching and knowing their hearts. God will expose any GRIEVOUS WAY (character traits or actions that leads to grief) and will LEAD the faithful IN THE WAY EVERLASTING (the w... [ Continue Reading ]