Psalms 139:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psalms 139:1 in other translations
| BSB | For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. |
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| WEB | For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. LORD, you have searched me, and you know me. |
| ASV | For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. |
| YLT | To the Overseer. --A Psalm by David. Jehovah, Thou hast searched me, and knowest. |
| DARBY | To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. |
| BBE | O Lord, you have knowledge of me, searching out all my secrets. |
| Webster | To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. |
What does Psalms 139:1 mean?
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
A fine account of the omniscience of God, Psa 139:1-6; of his omnipresence, Psa 139:7-12; of his power and providence Psa 139:13-16. The excellence of his purposes, Psa 139:17, Psa 139:18. His opposition to the wicked, Psa 139:19, Psa 139:20; with whom the godly can have no fellowship, Psa 139:21, Psa 139:22. The title of this Psalm in the Hebrew is, To the chief Musician, or, To the Conqueror, A Psalm of David. The Versions in general follow the Hebrew. And yet, notwithstanding these testimonies, there appears internal evidence that the Psalm was not written by David, but during or after the time of the captivity, as there are several Chaldaisms in it. See Psa 139:2, Psa 139:3, Psa 139:7, Psa 139:9, Psa 139:19, Psa 139:20, collated with Dan 2:29, Dan 2:30; Dan 4:16; Dan 7:28; some of these shall be noticed in their proper places. As to the author, he is unknown; for it does not appear to have been the work of David. The composition is worthy of him, but the language appears to be lower than his time. Concerning the occasion, there are many conjectures which I need not repeat, because I believe them unfounded. It is most probable that it was written on no particular occasion, but is a moral lesson on the wisdom, presence, providence, and justice of God, without any reference to any circumstance in the life of David, or in the history of the Jews. The Psalm is very sublime; the sentiments are grand, the style in general highly elevated, and the images various and impressive. The first part especially, that contains so fine a description of the wisdom and knowledge of God, is inimitable. Bishop Horsley's account of this Psalm is as follows: - "In the first twelve verses of this Psalm the author celebrates God's perfect knowledge of man's thoughts and actions; and the reason of this wonderful knowledge, viz., that God is the Maker of man. Hence the psalmist proceeds, in the four following verses, Psa 139:13-16, to magnify God as ordaining and superintending the formation of his body in the womb. In the 17th and 18th (Psa 139:17, Psa 139:18) he acknowledges God's providential care of him in every moment of his life; and in the remainder of the Psalm implores God's aid against impious and cruel enemies, professing his own attachment to God's service, that is, to the true religion, and appealing to the Searcher of hearts himself for the truth of his professions." The composition, for the purity and justness of religious sentiment, and for the force and beauty of the images, is certainly in the very first and best style. And yet the frequent Chaldaisms of the diction argue no very high antiquity. Verse 1 O Lord, thou hast searched me - חקרתני chakartani; thou hast investigated me; thou hast thoroughly acquainted thyself with my whole soul and conduct.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 139:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 139:1 in the original Hebrew
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 139:1
- Hebrews 4:13
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
- Jeremiah 12:3
But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.
- Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
- Psalms 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
- Psalms 17:3
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
- Psalms 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
- 1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
- Revelation 2:23
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
- 1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
- Psalms 11:4-5
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
- John 21:17
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
- Revelation 2:18
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
17 and for his infinite mercies.
19 He defies the wicked.
23 He prays for sincerity.
A.M. 2956. B.C. 1048. (Title.) A Psalm.This Psalm is supposed to have been composed by David when made king of Israel; though some think it was written by him when accused of traitorous designs against Saul. It is a most sublime ode on the wisdom, knowledge, presence, and justice of God: the sentiments are grand, the style highly elevated, and the images various, beautiful, and impressive.
thou hast.
23; 11:4,5; 17:3; 44:21; 1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 28:9; Jer 12:3; 17:9,10
Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13; Re 2:18,23
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 139:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
- Psalms 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Psalms 139:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Al Músico principal: Salmo de David. OH Jehová, tú me has examinado y conocido. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Au chef de musique. De David. Psaume. Éternel! tu m’as sondé, et tu m’as connu. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Jehova! du hast mich erforscht und erkannt. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In finem. Psalmus David. |