The Book of Psalms
Psalm 139
Psalm CXXXIX · Vol. II, pp. 1074–1075
1 David praiseth God for his all-seeing providence, 17 and for his infinite mercies. 19 He defieth the wicked. 23 He prayeth for sincerity.
To the chief musician, A psalm of David.
2 Thou knowest my bdown-sitting, and mine up-rising; cthou understandest my thought afar off.1
* 'This psalm relates to the omnipresence of God, and contains such reflections as would recur to one meditating on that attribute of Deity. It is the most distinct and full statement of that doctrine which is to be found in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the doctrine is presented in language which has never been surpassed for sublimity and beauty. The leading idea in the psalm seems to be that of comfort from the fact that God is everywhere; that he knows all that pertains to us; that we can never be hidden from his view; that he has known us from the beginning; that as he fashioned and formed us—making us what we are—he knows all our necessities and can supply them' (Barnes).—P.
b 2 Ki.6.12; 19.27. La.3.63. De.6.7. Is.37.28.
c Ps.94.11. Mat.9.3,4. Jn.2.24,25; 21.17. He.4.12.
1 See note * in first column.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,5 and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
5 Rays of light, or rising sun.
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
12 Yea, the darkness nhideth6 not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike7 to thee.
14 I will praise thee; for pI am fearfully and wonderfully made: qmarvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.8
15 Myr substance9 was not hid from thee, when I was made in ssecret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.1
r Job 10.8-10. Ec.11.5.
9 Or, strength or body.
s The womb, Ep.4.9.
1 The language is figurative, and signifies a dark obscure place which man cannot see, and to which he has no access.—P.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all2 my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned,3 whent as yet there was none of them.4
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: vwhen I awake, I am still with thee.
20 Forz they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
z Job 21.14,15. Ps.73.8,9. Is.37.23; 57.4. Re.13.6.
21 Doa not I hate5 them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
a 2 Ch.19.2. Ps.15.4; 31.6; 119.136,158. Pr.29.27.
5 The word 'hate' must be interpreted in accordance with the analogy of Scripture. It means to disapprove strongly of a certain line of conduct.—P.
22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies.
Notes
Ver. 1. The speaker is one throughout the whole psalm—one still with God, ver. 18—one who drives far from him all 'bloody men,' ver. 19, who hates them with 'perfect hatred;' and who, so far from shrinking from the eye of omniscience, boldly requests to be both 'searched' and 'tried.' Let any one read and study these characteristics, and say, Is not this the Christ? C.
Ver. 2. Afar off—'of old,' that date described, Pr. 8. 22-31; from 'before God's works of old—from everlasting—from the beginning—before the earth was.' C.
Ver. 7. Spirit, when contrasted with presence, literally faces, means the Holy Spirit, Jn. 14. 16, 17, 26. This passage asserts, in the strongest manner, the omnipresence of the Spirit: but whoever is omnipresent must be God. C.
Ver. 12. That darkness to one creature is light to another is beyond question. This consideration may help our infirmity in discerning how much more to the Creator darkness must be as light—for 'God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.' C.
Ver. 13. Reins. The kidneys—called the reins, from the governing and guiding power which the Hebrews attributed to them in the animal and mental economy—were primary parts of the inwards, offered in sacrifice to God. See Le. 3. 4, 10, 15. To 'possess the reins,' therefore, signifies to possess the whole internal powers, as a devoted sacrifice to the divine majesty. C.
Ver. 24. Lead me, &c. Lead me 'in the old way' in which believers have worshipped thee, in spirit and in truth, since the beginning. C.
Reflections.—In the faith of these things let me always live, and always act, whether in religious or in civil affairs, under the deepest impressions of God's eyes upon me, his perfect knowledge of my heart, my thoughts, and deeds; of his all-filling presence ever with me, to witness, support, or comfort me; of his marvellous formation of me in nature and grace; of his new-covenant marriage to me, and his everlasting redemption of my soul. Let my whole life, night and day, be filled up with precious, fixed, and delightful thoughts concerning these things, and with holy improvements of them. Let me never make the Lord's enemies my intimates. They who hate God hate his name and image wherever it appears. Let me therefore hate the ways of sinners, while I have true love and pity to their souls. And let a thorough cleansing from sin, and progress in holiness, be the earnest desire and ineffable delight of my soul.