Psalm 139:1-6 - Awesome Attributes of God! Part One - OMNISCIENCE
Psalm 139:1-6: Awesome Attributes of God! Part One - OMNISCIENCE
Psalm 139:1-6 (CWR) O Lord, you have searched my heart and know
me inside and out. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise; you
discern my thoughts before I think them. 3 You walk beside me all day
long, and when I lie down at night, you're there. You know everything
I do and say. 4 There's not a word that comes from my mouth, O
Lord, that you don't know beforehand. 5 You are behind me, in front of
me and all around me wherever I go. You have touched me and drawn
me close to you. 6 I can't comprehend such knowledge. It's so
wonderful that no matter how hard I try to understand, I can't grasp it
all.
CONTEXT
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 Holiness of God / The loyalty of David (139:19-24).
[Bible Knowledge Commentary and Ryrie SB]
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.
[Believers 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 Gods 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]
Gods omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence are the
subjects of Davids meditations in this beautiful psalm. His first
meditation is on Gods 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 Readers Companion]
DEFINITIONS/PARAPHRASES
Vs. 2 The two opposites of sitting and rising represent all his
actions (this is a figure of speech known as a merism). [Bible Knowledge
Commentary]
Vs. 3 The opposites of going out in the morning and lying down
at night represent the whole days activities (another merism).
[Bible Knowledge Commentary]
Vs. 4 There is not a word in my tongue: thou knowest all my
words before they are uttered, as thou knowest all my thoughts while
as yet they are unformed. (Adam Clarke Commentary)
Vs. 5 Beset behind and before: God knows all the past and
future: (Adam Clarke Commentary)
Vs. 5 Laid thine hand upon me: This is the body language of
blessing [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]
COMMENTARY
David here lays down this great doctrine, That the God with whom
we have to do has a perfect knowledge of us, (Matthew Henry's
Commentary)
Vs. 1 Thou understandest my thought: A most solemn reflection!
How unwilling would bad people be - would even good people be - to
have those round about them know always "what they are thinking."
(Barnes' Notes)
Vs. 5 Why did God hem David in? Though today we use this to
express a feeling of confinement or restricted freedom, David meant just
the opposite. When God hemmed David in, David was grateful for God's
close contact. Wherever he turned, he found God. As a result, David
was both comforted and awe-struck by God's care and protection (v.
6). [Quest SB]
Vs. 5 The Psalmist rejoiced in a three-fold security. God beset
him behind (past) and before (future) and had His hand upon him
(present). [Lockyer's Prayers of the Bible]
Amazing Knowledge and Love
A really close friend can help you identity and overcome
weaknesses, identity and use your strengths, and make other important
changes. The help you get from someone who knows you well - yet still
accepts you - can make more difference than a hundred self-help books.
Psalm 139 is a celebration, from first verse to last, of a
close friend - God. He knows us better than our closest confidant,
even better than we know ourselves. As you read this psalm, celebrate
with the writer God's great knowledge and love.
God knows everything about us, even down to the number of
hairs on our heads (see Matthew 10:30). He knows what we do as well as
what we are. He even knows what we think about (Psalm 139:1-5).
Should we expect anything less from our Creator (139:13-14)?
Sometimes we don't let people get to know us because we are
afraid they will discover something about us that they won't like. Or
we try to pull back from them because we fear that they've already
found something distasteful and will reject us. That cannot happen
with God. He knows us completely, and still he accepts and loves us.
When you fear (or actually face) rejection from others -
whether coworkers, neighbors, friends, or even family members - remember
that God made you and has already accepted you, exactly as you are.
[The One Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave Veerman re Psalm
139:1-10]
Fullness " Only in God
The subject of God's knowledge must be linked to His wisdom,
and it is this aspect of the divine nature that we consider now.
What does the Bible mean when it describes God as wise? Wisdom is the
ability to use knowledge to the best possible ends. This ability is
found in its fullness only in God. God is never other than wise in
everything He does. Knowledge without wisdom would be pathetic, a broken
reed. Wisdom without knowledge would be inoperative and quite
frightening. God's boundless knowledge and wisdom are perfect in every way,
and it is this that makes Him utterly worthy of our trust.
One of the great difficulties we have in the Christian life
is trusting the divine wisdom. We can recognize wisdom only when we
see the end to which it is moving. Yet God often calls us to trust
Him when we can't see the end that He is pursuing. And then in such
times we have to ask ourselves: "How much do I trust Him?"
Before I began speaking to a Christian youth group once, I
asked if someone could offer a definition of God's wisdom. One young
man said: "God's wisdom is the ability to get us through scrapes and
difficulties without getting hurt." I gave the young man full marks for
attempting a definition, but I had to show him that this was not what
divine wisdom is all about. The goal behind divine wisdom is not to
make us happy but to make us holy. And sometimes pursuing that goal
may involve us in considerable pain.
Father, here I am again - at the road less traveled. Help me
tread the road ahead knowing that whatever pain You allow me to feel
is for my good. I do not welcome it, but I do not run from it
either, as long as You stay with me. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible
with Selwyn Hughes devotional re Rom. 16:27]
APPLICATIONS
We need a high view of our God. He is absolutely sovereign. No
one can change his mind or make Him do what He is not pleased to do.
And so He tells His creatures, there is no god beside Him. It
is God that ultimately brings both life and death. Sometimes we
are tempted to think that the adversary, the devil, is a sort of
equivalent to God, but evil. This is not true. The devil is evil, but he
is no comparison to God. There is nothing to compare God to,
because He is absolutely unique. He has told His creation how life
works. We have it all in our owner's manual, the Bible. Just as a rock
will never float in the air on earth, so too, if we obey God we are
blessed, and if we disobey, we suffer the consequences. Absolutely. Do
not demean God when things get difficult, by thinking He is not in
complete control. He is God, and there is no one beside Him, and He will
accomplish His will. [In His Time Walk With Wisdom]
Child, don't try to understand Me. Just love Me. Just let
Me love you. You don't have to understand Me to open yourself to
My love.
You're right - I do ride the wild winds into town sometimes.
I do appear in forms you have never seen, sound notes you have
never heard. This makes you wonder if I get My signals crossed, if I
take you south in order to get you north. I seem to have plopped you
down, reasonable creature that you are, into an unreasonable world.
You do not understand all this because I am God and you are you.
May I remind you how different we really are? You are human;
I am divine. You are finite; I am infinite. You need love; I
delight in love but do not need it. You need to be understood; I am
above the need to be understood. You cannot understand; I understand
perfectly. You are of time; I am of eternity. You are of reason; I am
above reason. You are blown by the wind; I blow the wind. Ruth
Senter [Time with God devotional SB]
Lord, thank you for knowing me and for continuing to love me
anyway. [Life Recovery Devotional SB]
PRAYERFUL APPLICATIONS
I am all around you, hovering over you even as you seek My
Face. I am nearer than you dare believe, closer than the air you
breathe. If My children could only recognize My Presence, they would
never feel lonely again. I know every thought before you think it,
every word before you speak it. My Presence impinges on your innermost
being. Can you see the absurdity of trying to hide anything from Me?
You can easily deceive other people, and even yourself, but I read
you like an open, large-print book.
Deep within themselves, most people have some awareness of My
imminent Presence. Many people run from Me and vehemently deny My
existence because My closeness terrifies them. But My own children have
nothing to fear, for I have cleansed them by My blood and clothed them
in My righteousness. Be blessed by My intimate nearness. Since I
live in you, let Me also live through you, shining My Light into the
darkness. (Psalm 139:1-4; Ephesians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5: 21) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
I have searched you and known you. I am intimately acquainted
with all your ways. Even before there is a word on your tongue, I
know it all. Beloved, you are indeed fully known! I have complete
knowledge of everything about you - including your most secret thoughts
and feelings. This transparency could be terrifying for you if you
were not My follower. But you have nothing to fear because My perfect
righteousness has been credited to you through your faith in Me. You're a
cherished member of My family!
My intimate relationship with you is a powerful antidote to
feelings of loneliness. Whenever you feel alone or afraid, voice your
prayers to Me. I hear your silent prayers too, but whispering your words
or uttering them out loud helps you think more clearly. Because I
understand you perfectly, you don't have to explain things to Me. You can
dive right in, seeking My help in your "here and now' circumstances.
Spend a few moments relaxing with Me - breathing in the Joy of My
Presence. (Psa. 139:1-4; 1Co. 13:12; Rom. 3:22; Psa. 21:6) [Jesus Always
by Sarah Young]
Come to Me for understanding, since I know you far better
than you know yourself. I comprehend you in all your complexity; no
detail of your life is hidden from Me. I view you through eyes of
grace, so don't be afraid of My intimate awareness. Allow the Light of
My healing Presence to shine into the deepest recesses of your
being - cleansing, healing, refreshing, and renewing you. Trust Me
enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually.
This great gift, which cost Me My Life, is yours for all eternity.
Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence. I will never leave
you or forsake you.
When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer
to Me. Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves
you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of
love, overflowing into the lives of other people. (Psa. 139:1-4; 2Co.
1:21-22; Jos. 1:5) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Let My love seep into the inner recesses of your being. Do
not close off any part of yourself from Me. I know you inside and
out, so do not try to present a "cleaned-up" self to Me. Wounds that
you shut away from the Light of My Love will fester and become
wormy. Secret sins that you "hide" from Me can split off and develop
lives of their own, controlling you without your realizing it.
Open yourself fully to My transforming Presence. Let My
brilliant Love-Light search out and destroy hidden fears. This process
requires time alone with Me, as My Love soaks into your innermost being.
Enjoy My perfect Love, which expels every trace of fear. (Psa.
139:1-4, 23, 24; 1Jo. 4:18) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
There is comfort in the fact that God can never be taken by
surprise. [Daily Walk Bible]
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}
Don't you know that the Lord our God is the everlasting One?
Haven't you heard that He always was and always will be? He's the
Creator of the universe! He never gets tired. He never gets weary. His
understanding has no limits. Isa 40:28 (CWR)
EXCELLENT SERMON ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR IVAN BLAKE
He Holds My Hand by Pastor Ivan Blake:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt-1RSoNmPc
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
