Psalm 139:17-18 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:18

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand (comp. Psalms 40:5 , "Thy thoughts which are to usward cannot be reckoned up"). When I awake, I am still with thee. I meditate on thee, both sleeping and waking, nor ever find the subject of my thought exhausted. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:18

The abiding sense of the Divine presence. "I fall asleep, exhausted with the effort of counting thy thoughts or desires; and when I awake I find myself still engaged in the same spiritual arithmetic, which is my dearest delight." I. IT IS THE SUGGESTION OF DELIGHTFUL THOUGHTS . The psalmist exclaims, "How precious are thy thoughts unto me!" This may mean, "my cherished thoughts of thee," or, "thy loving thoughts of me, of which I have the most comfortable assurance."... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:17

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! - On the word “thoughts,” see the notes at Psalms 139:2. Compare Psalms 139:23. The remark is made here doubtless in view of the numberless “thoughts” involved in planning and forming a frame so wondrous, and in the care necessary to bring it to perfection; to develop it; to provide for it; to guard and defend it. How many “thoughts” of a parent are employed in behalf of his children, in providing for them; teaching them; counseling them;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:18

If I should count them - If I could count them.They are more in number than the sand - Numberless as the sand on the sea-shore.When I awake, I am still with thee - When I am lost in deep and profound meditation on this subject, and am aroused again to consciousness, I find the same thing still true. The fact of “my” being forgetful, or lost in profound meditation, has made no difference with thee. Thou art still the same; and the same unceasing care, the same thoughtfulness, still exists in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 139:17-18

Psalms 139:17-18. How precious also, &c. “From the wonders of God’s forming hand, the psalmist proceeds to those of his all-directing providence, which afford additional proofs of the divine omniscience and omnipresence.” Are thy thoughts unto me Thy counsels, or contrivances, in my behalf, which are admirable and amiable in my eyes, and replete with kindness. Thou didst not only form me at first, but ever since my conception and birth thy thoughts have been employed for my good,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

Psalms 139:0 The all-knowing, ever-present GodGod knows all about the psalmist - what he does, what he thinks, where he goes and what he says (139:1-4). Because of the realization that God is all around him, the psalmist sometimes feels helpless (5-6). A person may be tempted to look for some escape from such an overpowering presence, but no escape is possible. This may bring fear to rebels but it brings comfort to believers (7-8). Wherever they travel, God is with them (9-10). In darkness or... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 139:17

How precious. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 . See note on 1 Samuel 3:1 . thoughts = desires. See Psalms 139:2 . GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 . sum. Hebrew, plural of majesty, denoting the fullness or vastness of them. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 139:18

more in number . . . sand. Figure of speech Paroemia . App-6 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 139:17-19

Psalms 139:17-19. How precious, &c.— This expresses the zeal and affection that he had for God. "As thou hast taken such care of me, so are the thoughts of thee precious to me above all things." The turn of the sentence shews this to be the meaning:—"I am ever thinking of thee; as soon as I wake, I find thee still in my thoughts; I cannot bear the impious man; and, ye men of blood, depart from me." Green renders the 17th verse, How precious unto me, O God, are the thoughts of thee! How... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:1-24

Psalms 139David praised God for His omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence in this popular psalm. It is a plea for God to search the life to expose sin. It consists of four strophes of six verses each."The Gelineau version gives the psalm the heading ’The Hound of Heaven’, a reminder that Francis Thompson’s fine poem of that name owed its theme of flight and pursuit largely to the second stanza here (Psalms 139:7-12), which is one of the summits of Old Testament poetry." [Note: Kidner,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 139:17-18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 139:17

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 139:18

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 139:17-19

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:1-24

Group of Brands