Psalm 139

After finishing Wendy Alsup’s book “Practical Theology for Women: How Knowing God Makes A Difference in Our Daily Lives” (reviewed below), the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 139. I had been contemplating what Wendy discusses in her book, that God is sovereign, wise, and compassionate. As Wendy points out, the fact that God is sovereign (supreme authority), would not be comforting if He were not also all wise (knowing all right) and compassionate (loving, kind, merciful). These three characteristics together give us reason to have much confidence in our God.

In many ways, it is easier for me to believe that God is sovereign, compassionate, and wise in the big things of life. God is ruler of the universe, He has compassion on mankind, and the “great mysteries” of life are no mystery to Him. In reading Psalm 139 though, I can see that these qualities of God apply to my life individually as well- God is Lord over me, He has compassionate love for me, and He knows every detail about me and has all the wisdom to know my every need. Imagine if I remembered this truth all the time- in every joy, in every challenge, and in every heartache! It would result in peace in my heart and praise on my lips. Read for yourself how worthy He is of our trust and adoration!

Psalm 139
Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
11If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
13For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
19Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
20They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!