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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Psalms 139:13 - 139:24
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David now describes the creative power and providence of God and adds a prayer extolling the Lord and appealing for a just trial.
v. 13. For Thou hast possessed my reins, that is, formed, framed, fashioned the organs of his body in creation; Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb, that is, plaited or weaved the body before birth, as the bones, sinews, and flesh took shape.
v. 14. I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, in a manner which produces awe and reverence at the miracle of creation. Marvelous are Thy works, those of creation in general, and that my soul knoweth right well, being impressed with these miracles on every hand.
v. 15. My substance, that is, the bones, the framework of the body, was not hid from Thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth, literally, "wrought in various colors," on account of the veining of the body and the different colors of its various organs and parts, the reference to God's creative act in the case of each human being including a reference to the original creation of man out of the dust of the earth.
v. 16. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect, while he was still in the form of an embryo, and in Thy book all my members were written, or rather, all the days of his life, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them, that is, among the days planned in God's counsel there was also one which was destined for the creation of David, in other words, beginning, development, and completion of all creatures take place according to God's creative counsel. The contemplation of this power of God, as revealed in the act of God's creation of man, fills the poet's heart with adoring praise.
v. 17. How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! weighty, important, full of deep significance. How great is the sum of them, how overpowering in their total amount! the human mind being unable to grasp their great number and meaning.
v. 18. If I should count them, attempting to keep account of them, they are more in number than the sand, innumerable for a mere human being. When I awake, having fallen asleep in the futile attempt to form an adequate picture of their number, I am still with Thee, still engaged in the contemplation of God, the incomprehensible, still thinking about His counsels and dealings.
v. 19. Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God, to whom the believer's faith in the Lord is a source of mockery; depart from me therefore, ye bloody men, those whose consciences are burdened with blood-guilt.
v. 20. For they speak against Thee wickedly, having evil designs in their hearts, and Thine enemies take Thy name in vain, speaking of Him, mentioning Him, with craftiness and deceit, such enmity against God always resulting in sins and crimes of every kind.
v. 21. Do not I hate them, O Lord, rather, "Should not I hate those," that hate Thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee? abhorring the adversaries of Jehovah with perfection of hatred.
v. 22. I hate them with perfect hatred, with the very extremity of abhorrence, but without personal bitterness or self-exaltation; I count them mine enemies; for those whom God considers His adversaries must be so considered by His believers.
v. 23. Search me, O God, and know my heart, to prevent all deception of self; try me and know my thoughts, testing them out for their sincerity;
v. 24. and see if there be any wicked way in me, literally, "a way of grief," namely, that leading to punishment for sins committed, and lead me in the way everlasting, that agreeing with His will, the way of righteousness, which endures forever, for that is the desire of all believers.