Click here to read PSALM 139 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 139 is in the Deuteronomy Book of the Psalms (Psalms 107-150). These 44 Psalms, like the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, show God’s Word as the source of salvation, deliverance, and healing. This would be fully carried out in the life of the coming Messiah, the living Word, Jesus Christ. Psalm 139 shows the Messiah’s intimate relationship with the Lord, his heavenly Father. From Mary’s womb, God knew how wonderful the Messiah would be and what he would accomplish for mankind. Jesus Christ’s heart was pure and able to be “searched” so that he was led by his Father in “the way everlasting.” Jesus Christ brings eternal life to all who believe.
Structure
(Verse 1) O Lord, You have searched and known me
(Verses 2-5) You, O Lord, know my thoughts and ways—and protect me on all sides
(Verses 6-12) The wonderful knowledge of God’s constant presence and light
(Verses 13-16) The wonderful making and fashioning of my life in the womb
(Verses 17-22) Your thoughts, O God, unto me—and You protect me from the wicked who rise up against You
(Verses 23,24) O God, search me and know my heart (lead me in the way everlasting)
Key Scriptures
Verse 4—“For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” Jesus Christ knew that His Father was Almighty and all knowing. He prayed “Our Father which art in heaven.” He understood that God has foreknowledge and would keep His ancient promises concerning the Messiah. That gave Jesus Christ the most intimate relationship with his Father and God.
Verse 11—“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.” During his darkest moments being tempted by the Devil in the wilderness, in the garden of Gethsemane before his death, being tortured and crucified on the tree—Jesus always knew that His faithful Father was there to help him. Even during the crucifixion, when “from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour,” Jesus Christ had the light of God’s Word and love in his heart. He knew he could have 12 legions of angels—more than 7,200 angels—if he asked his Father for them (Matthew 26:53). Today, Jesus Christ is our light and salvation in our times of need.
Verse 17—“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” This verse summarizes God’s great care in the previous verses. God knew the Messiah would be born someday. He foreknew Jesus’ development in Mary’s womb and the great things His Son would do for all people. All things of the Messiah were “written” in God’s book (scroll) before they ever occurred (verse 16). We can rejoice in all that God has done and will do for us through His wonderful Son. Our Father’s thoughts to us are very precious and more than we could ever imagine.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader.
The Background, Structure, and Key Scriptures for all 150 Psalms are available from Amazon in a book The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
