Psalms 139:1-9

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

Psalms 139:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 139:1-9 In-Context

1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 17:3; Romans 8:27
• 2. Psalms 44:21; Jeremiah 12:3
• 3. 2 Kings 19:27
• 4. Psalms 94:11; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 12:3; Matthew 9:4; John 2:24
• 5. 2 Kings 19:27
• 6. S Job 31:4
• 7. S Hebrews 4:13
• 8. S 1 Samuel 25:16; Psalms 32:10; Psalms 34:7; Psalms 125:2
• 9. S Psalms 131:1
• 10. Job 42:3; Romans 11:33
• 11. Jeremiah 23:24; John 1:3
• 12. Deuteronomy 30:12-15; Amos 9:2-3
• 13. Job 17:13; Proverbs 15:11