Psalm 139:8-24 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:16

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect ,.... The word F17 גלמי "informe meum", Montanus; "glomus meam", Michaelis. for "substance" signifies a bottom of yarn wound up, or any rude or unformed lump; and designs that conglomerated mass of matter separated in the womb, containing all the essentials of the human frame, but not yet distinguished or reduced into any form or order; yet, even when in this state, the eyes of the Lord see it and all its parts distinctly; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:17

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God !.... The word F18 יקרו "difficiles", Cocceius; "quam rarae"; so some in Vatablus. signifies that which is scarce and rare, and not to be attained and enjoyed; see 1 Samuel 3:1 ; the thoughts and counsels of God are impenetrable and unsearchable; he knows our thoughts, as Aben Ezra observes, but we do not know his, Psalm 139:2 ; as well as it likewise signifies the worth and value of them; God's thoughts are infinitely beyond... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:18

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand ,...., That is, if I should attempt to do it, it would be as vain and fruitless as to attempt to count the sands upon the seashore, which are innumerable; Psalm 11:5 . So Pindar says F19 Olymp. Ode 2. in fine. , that sand flies number, that is, is not to be numbered; though the Pythian oracle boastingly said F20 Apud Herodot. Clio, sive l. 1. c. 47. , I know the number of the sand, and the measures of the sea; to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:19

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God ,.... Since he is God omniscient, and knows where they are, what they have done, are doing, and design to do; and God omnipresent, at hand to lay hold upon them; and God omnipotent, to hold them and inflict due punishment on them; this is a consequence rightly drawn from the above perfections of God. Or "if thou wilt slay the wicked" F26 אם תקטל "si occideris", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, &c.; , then, when I awake, I shall be with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:20

For they speak against thee wickedly ,.... Against his being, his perfections, his purposes, his providences, his doctrines, ordinances, ministers, and people; or "they speak of thee for wickedness" F2 Or "to a mischievous purpose"; so Ainsworth. , they made mention of the name of God to cover their wickedness, pretending to fear God and love him, to have a reverence of him and serve him, putting on a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; and thine enemies take thy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:21

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee ?.... Wicked men are haters of God; of his word, both law and Gospel; of his ordinances, ways, and worship; of his people, cause, and interest; and therefore good men hate them: not as men, as the creatures of God, and as their fellow creatures, whom they are taught by the Gospel to love, to do good unto, and pray for; but as haters of God, and because they are so; not their persons, but their works; and for the truth of this the omniscient God is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:22

I hate them with perfect hatred ,.... Heartily and really; not in word only, but in deed and in truth; "odio vatiniano", with consummate hatred: this is an answer to his own question; I count them mine enemies ; being the enemies of God: the friends of God were David's friends, as angels and good men, and God's enemies were his; their friends and enemies, were common; so closely allied and attached were they to each other, as God and all good men are. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart ,.... He had searched him, and knew his heart thoroughly; try me, and know my thoughts ; he had tried him, and knew every thought in him, Psalm 139:1 . This therefore is not said for the sake of God; who, though he is the trier of hearts, and the searcher of the reins, is indeed a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart at once, and knows immediately what is in man; and needs no testimony of him, nor to make use of any means in order to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:24

And see if there be any wicked way in me ,.... Not that David thought himself free from wickedness, or that there was none to be found in his heart and life; and therefore said this in a boasting way, he knew otherwise; see Psalm 19:12 ; but he is desirous it might be thoroughly looked into and seen whether there was any such wicked way in him he was charged with; as that he had a design upon the life of Saul, and to seize his throne and kingdom, which never entered into his mind, 1... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:8

If I ascend - Thou art in heaven, in thy glory; in hell, in thy vindictive justice; and in all parts or earth, water, space, place, or vacuity, by thy omnipresence. Wherever I am, there art thou; and where I cannot be, thou art there. Thou fillest the heavens and the earth. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:8

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