Psalms 139:5

5 I am shut in by you on every side, and you have put your hand on me.

Psalms 139:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 139:5

Thou hast beset me behind and before
Art on every side of me, all around me, like one besieged in a strait place; so that there is nothing I can think, say, or do, but what is known unto thee. The two Kimchis, father and son, render the word, "thou hast formed me": and interpret it of the formation of his body, of which, in ( Psalms 139:14-16 ) ; see ( Job 10:8 Job 10:10 Job 10:11 ) but it denotes how God compasses men with his presence and providence, so that nothing escapes his knowledge;

and laid thine hand upon me;
not his afflicting hand, which sometimes presses hard; though the Targum thus paraphrases it,

``and stirred against me the stroke of thine hand:''

but rather his hand of power and providence, to preserve, protect, and defend him. Or it signifies that he was so near to him that his hand was upon him, and he was perfectly known; as anything is that is before a man, and he has his hand upon.

Psalms 139:5 In-Context

3 You keep watch over my steps and my sleep, and have knowledge of all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue which is not clear to you, O Lord.

5 I am shut in by you on every side, and you have put your hand on me.

6 Such knowledge is a wonder greater than my powers; it is so high that I may not come near it.

7 Where may I go from your spirit? how may I go in flight from you?