Psalm 139

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. God’s omniscience--He knows all. (1-6)

A. O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

B. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising.

C. Thou understandest my thought afar off.

D. Thou compassest my path and my lying down.

E. You are acquainted with all my ways.

F. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, Oh Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.

G. 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.

II. God’s omnipresence--God is always near. (7-12)

A. Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

B. If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there.

C. If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.

D. 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.

E. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me”, even the night shall be light about me.

1. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day.

2. The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.

III. God’s omnipotence–He is powerful. (13-22)

A. Review of His powerful acts.

1. For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

2. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

3. Marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

4. My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

a. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect.

b. In Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

B. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!

1. How great is the sum of them!

2. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.

3. When I awake, I am still with Thee.

C. Request for His power to be demonstrated.

1. Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

2. For they speak against thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain.

3. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate Thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee?

4. I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

IV. An appeal to God: (23-24)

A. Search me, O God, and know my heart.

B. Try me, and know my thoughts.

C. See if there be any wicked way in me.

D. Lead me in the way everlasting.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 139,9 כַנְפֵי {B} MT, α', T // theol: G, Hebr, S

Ps 139,11 יְשׁוּפֵנִי וְלַיְלָה אוֹר {B} MT, G, S // err-graph: σ'? Hebr? clav יְשׂוּכֵּנִי / lit: 11Qa אזר

Ps 139,12 כַּ֜חֲשֵׁיכָה כָּאוֹרָה {B} MT, Hebr, S, T // exeg: G, σ' / modern: 11Qa

Ps 139,14A נוֹרָאוֹת {B} MT, G, Hebr, T // lic: S / lit: 11Qa

Ps 139,14B נִפְלֵיתִי {B} MT, G // lic: S / exeg: Hebr / err-graph: 11Qa

Ps 139,14C יֹדַעַת {A}

Ps 139,16A גָּלְמִי {B} MT, 11Qa εβρ, G, α', σ', Hebr, T // err-graph: S

Ps 139,16B יָמִים יֻצָּרוּ {B} MT, 11Qa, G, α', θ', Hebr, S, T // lic: σ'

Ps 139,16C cor וְלֹא {B} MTK, G, α', θ', σ', Hebr, S, T // err-graph: MTQ, 11Qa וְלוֹ

Ps 139,18 הֱקִיצֹתִי {A}

Ps 139,20A יֹמְרֻךָ {B} MT, G, Hebr, S, T // err-voc: ε', θ', g clav יַמְרֻךָ / facil-graph: 11Qa, m יאמרך

Ps 139,20B נָשֻׂא {C} MT, G? α'? σ'? Hebr? S? T? // err-voc: θ' clav נָשָׂא / facil graph: 11Qa נשאו

Ps 139,20C עָרֶיךָ {A}