Psalm 139:19-24 - Awesome Attributes of God! Part Four
Psa. 139:19-24: Awesome Attributes of God! Part Four
Psa 139:19 (CWR) O Lord, I wish you would take care of my
enemies. I wish these bloodthirsty men would stop bothering me.
Psa 139:20 (CWR) These visitors from other countries talk
against you every chance they get, and in private, they curse your
name.
Psa 139:21 (CWR) I hate what they're saying about you, Lord. I
hear they're planning to attack Israel because of what you have done
for us.
Psa 139:22 (CWR) I hate them with a justified hatred and count
them as my enemies.
Psa 139:23 (CWR) O Lord, search my heart; test me so I can know
my thoughts as you know them.
Psa 139:24 (CWB) Let me know if there is any wicked way in me,
and then help me walk in the way I should go.
INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW
This psalm contains the clearest expression of the attributes
and character of God to be found in the Psalter. One could hardly
describe the omniscience and omnipresence of God more effectively.
[Believer's SB]
This poem describes the attributes of the Lord not as abstract
qualities, but as active qualities by which He relates Himself to His
people. [Nelson SB]
From the standpoint of OT theology, this is the climax of
thought in the Psalter on God's personal relationship to the individual.
The psalmist does not engage in abstract philosophy or speculative
meditation; he merely describes his humble walk with God and shares his
experiental knowledge of the Lord. [Wycliffe Bible Commentary]
A. The omniscience of the Lord (139:1-6)
B. The omnipresence of the Lord (139:7-12)
C. The omnipotence of the Lord (139:13-18)
D. The loyalty of David (139:19-24). [Bible Knowledge Commentary]
God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence are the
subjects of David's meditations in this beautiful psalm.... His first
meditation is on God's knowledge, that every aspect of his life was
searched out and controlled by what the Lord knew. He then realized it
was impossible to escape from such omniscient control, no matter how
far or fast he might go, for God is everywhere. David then stated
that God has such control over him because in His power He created
Him secretly and planned his life with great care. On the basis of
these meditations, David then affirmed his loyalty to God and prayed
for God to prove him by examining him. [Bible Knowledge Commentary]
This psalm focuses on four great attributes of God: His
knowledge of all things (vv. 1-6), His presence everywhere (vv. 7-12), His
power in the formation of man (vv. 13-18), and His holiness, which
destroys evil men and searches the believer's heart (vv. 19-24). [Ryrie
SB]
David meditates on the omniscience (139:1-6), omnipresence (vv.
7-12), and omnipotence (vv. 13-18) of God. He then applies these truths
to the wicked, whom he calls on God to slay (vv. 19-22), and to
himself, whom he calls on God to examine and to lead (vv. 23-24). [Victor
Bible Reader's Companion]
HOLINESS AND LOYALITY OR SIN: VS 19-24: COMMENTARY
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: It is not easy to
account for the sudden and remarkable transition or diversion of the
train of thought from the main subject of the psalm, in these verses
(Ps 139:19-22), in which the psalmist gives vent to his feelings
toward the wicked, and prays that they may depart from him. Perhaps the
explanation of it may be, that as the psalmist was reflecting on the fact
that God is everywhere present, that he searches the hearts of
people, that he must know all their conduct, he was suddenly struck with
the idea of the condition of wicked people in the presence, and
under the eye, of such a Being. As God knows all things, he must know
them; and this instantaneously suggested the idea of their guilt and
danger. People of such characters could not deceive such a God. They
could not but be known to him, and could not but be objects of his
aversion. They could not, therefore, but be in danger. (Barnes' Notes)
19 Why doesn't God slay the wicked? The Bible constantly
challenges us to see things from God's perspective. The issue of judgment
is no different. Though David longed for God to correct injustice,
there is a confidence expressed throughout the psalms that God,
whether in this life or the next, will judge evil. Sometimes it is
because of his mercy that God allows sin to continue for a time (2 Peter
3:8-9). [Quest SB]
21 And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?:
The feeling referred to is anger-conscious disgust-at such conduct;
and grief, pain, sorrow, that people should evince such feelings
toward their Maker. (Barnes' Notes)
21, 22 Is hatred sometimes a good thing? Understood the proper
way, some hatred could be considered good. Hatred of evil, for
example, is seen here as zeal for God's honor. The words hate and love
sometimes are used differently in the Bible than we normally use them.
David used these words as he passionately announced his loyalty to
God. His love meant he wanted to be on God's side; his hate meant he
wanted nothing to do with those opposed to the Lord. [Quest SB]
HOLINESS AND LOYALITY OR SIN: VS 19-24: APPLICATIONS
Enemies: Hatred: Psa.139:19-24
David's hatred of his enemies came from his zeal for God. David
regarded his enemies as God's enemies, so his hatred was a desire for
God's righteous justice and not for personal vengeance. Is it all
right to be angry at people who hate God? Yes, but we must remember
that it is God who will deal with them, not us. If we truly love God,
then we will be deeply hurt if someone hates him. David asked God to
scrutinize his heart and mind and point out any wrong motives that may have
been behind his strong words. But while we seek justice against evil,
we must also pray that God's enemies will turn to him before he
judges them. [Small Group SB]
HOLINESS AND LOYALITY OR SIN: VS 19-24: CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
All believers who come to understand the attributes of God
discussed in this psalm find them a great source of comfort, and a great
prompting to obey Him. [Bible Knowledge Commentary]
Study God's word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in
the law of God and the life of Christ, the great principles of
holiness, without which "no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14. It
convinces of sin; it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it
as the voice of God speaking to your soul. {SC 35.2}
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