Psalm 139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10
Chapter 139
1
Lord, You Search Me and You Know Me
O Lord, you know me: you have scrutinized me.2
You know when I sit and when I rise; beforehand, you discern my thoughts.
3
You observe my activities and times of rest; you are familiar with all my ways.
4
Before a word is formed in my mouth, you know what it is all about, O Lord.
5
From front to back you hedge me round, shielding me with your protecting hand.
6
Your knowledge leaves me astounded, it is too high for me to reach.
7
Where else could I go from your Spirit? Where could I flee from your presence?
8
You are there, if I ascend the heavens; you are there, if I descend to the depths.
9
If I ride on the wings of the dawn, and settle on the far side of the sea,
10
even there, your hand shall guide me, and your right hand shall hold me safely.
Commentaries
139
This meditation on the wisdom, knowledge, and presence of God may have begun in response to the pressure from evildoers (19-22); someone has been falsely accused, perhaps of idolatry, and he turns to God in his plea. In this setting, he writes his poem. Our thoughts may drift and soar across the world, over the dazzling array of galaxies, and we can know that God is there, wherever our mind’s eye looks—and that he is also in the depths of our soul.
The human body is so divine that it reflects the image of God. The journey of this marvelous creation of God, the human being, is tenderly nurtured by divine care (16). Isn’t it irrational for anyone to hate the Lord when all good things come from him? The ways of God are beyond our understanding, and his wisdom is boundless (cf. Rom 11:33). God draws near to us and embraces us, not to condemn, but to lead us toward his love. If we want to experience divine love and recognize the dignity of man, it would be beneficial to pray with this beautiful psalm.
In the final verse 24, the psalmist expresses a desire to be led to eternal life. Fortunately for us, Jesus assures us, ‘Whoever believes has eternal life’ (Jn 6:47) and again, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me’ (Jn 14:6).