Psalm 139:13-24 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:7-16

It is of great use to us to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed, that we may not only believe them, but be able to tell why we believe them, and to give a reason of the hope that is in us. David is sure that God perfectly knows him and all his ways, I. Because he is always under his eye. If God is omnipresent, he must needs be omniscient; but he is omnipresent; this supposes the infinite and immensity of his being, from which follows the ubiquity of his presence;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:17-24

Here the psalmist makes application of the doctrine of God's omniscience, divers ways. I. He acknowledges, with wonder and thankfulness, the care God had taken of him all his days, Ps. 139:17, 18. God, who knew him, thought of him, and his thoughts towards him were thoughts of love, thought of good, and not of evil, Jer. 29:11. God's omniscience, which might justly have watched over us to do us hurt, has been employed for us, and has watched over us to do us good, Jer. 31:28. God's counsels... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:13

For thou hast possessed my reins ,.... His thoughts and counsels, the reins being the seat of instruction and counsel; hence God is called the trier of the reins, and searcher of the hearts of the children of men; he is the possessor or master of their most secret thoughts, and thoroughly knows them; see Psalm 7:9 ; they are also the seat of the affections, which are naturally sinful and inordinate, and set upon carnal and earthly things; but the Lord possesses and engrosses the affections... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ,.... the formation of man is not of himself, nor of his parents, but of God, and is very wonderful in all its parts; it has been matter of astonishment to many Heathens, as Galen and others, who have, with any carefulness, examined the structure and texture of the human body, the exact symmetry and just proportion of all its parts, their position and usefulness; holy every bone, muscle, artery, nerve and fibre, are nicely framed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:15

My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret ,.... Or "my bone" F14 עצמי "os meum", V. L. Vatablus, Gejerus, "ossa mea", Piscator; "apparatio ossium meorum", Cocceius. ; everyone of his bones, which are the substantial parts of the body, the strength of it; and so some render it "my strength" F15 "Robur meum", Tigurine version; "vis mea", Junius & Tremellius. ; those, though covered with skin and flesh yet, being done by the Lord himself, were not hid from... read more

John Gill

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:7-16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:17-24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:15

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

Group of Brands