Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the womb I knew youand before you were born I set you apart.

Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Romans 8:38-39
Assurance of God's unending love and presence.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.God's Omniscience
O LORDYou have searched me and known me. (Psalm 139:1)
God knows our thoughtsactionsand words before they come to be (verses 2-4).
His knowledge of us is complete and personalencompassing every aspect of our lives.

God's Omnipresence
Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:7)
God's presence is inescapable; He is with us in every place and situation (verses 8-10).
His presence is a source of comfort and guidancenot fear.

God's Omnipotence in Creation
For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)
We are fearfully and wonderfully madea testament to God's creative power (verse 14).
Our lives are ordained by Godwho has a purpose for each of us (verse 16).

Response to God's Attributes
David's response is one of awe and worshipacknowledging God's thoughts as precious and vast (verses 17-18).
He invites God to search his heart and lead him in the way everlasting (verses 23-24).Embrace God's Intimate Knowledge
Find comfort in the fact that God knows you completely and loves you unconditionally.
Trust in His understanding of your struggles and joys.

Seek God's Presence
Cultivate an awareness of God's presence in your daily life through prayer and meditation.
Allow His presence to guide your decisions and provide peace in difficult times.

Celebrate Your Unique Creation
Recognize your worth and purpose as God's handiwork.
Use your gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God.

Invite God's Examination
Regularly ask God to search your heart and reveal areas needing growth or repentance.
Be open to His leading and correctiontrusting in His perfect plan for your life.1. The Psalmist (David)
The author of the psalmtraditionally understood to be King David. He is the one expressing his thoughts and feelings about God's intimate knowledge and presence in his life. David reflects on how God has searched and known himunderstanding his thoughts and actions completely.

2. God (Yahweh)
The central figure in the psalmdepicted as all-knowingever-presentand the Creator. God is described as having an intimate knowledge of the psalmistbeing present in every aspect of his lifeand having formed him in the womb. The Hebrew name for God used here is often "Yahweh," emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people.

Psalm 139 does not explicitly mention other personsbut it is a dialogue between David and Godhighlighting the personal relationship between the believer and the divine. The focus is on God's attributes and His relationship with the individualrather than on a broader cast of characters.1. Heaven
"If I ascend to heavenYou are there;" (Psalm 139:8a)
This refers to the highest placeoften seen as the dwelling place of God. The Hebrew word used here is "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim)indicating the sky or the abode of God.

2. Sheol
"if I make my bed in SheolYou are there." (Psalm 139:8b)
Sheol is the Hebrew term "שְׁאוֹל" (sheol)often understood as the realm of the dead or the graveindicating that God's presence extends even to the depths of the earth.

3. Wings of the Dawn
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn," (Psalm 139:9a)
This poetic expression suggests the farthest eastwhere the sun risessymbolizing the speed and reach of God's presence.

4. Farthest Sea
"if I settle by the farthest sea," (Psalm 139:9b)
This phrase refers to the westernmost partspossibly the Mediterranean Seaindicating the vastness of God's reach. The Hebrew word for sea is "יָם" (yam).1. God's Complete Knowledge of the Individual
The psalm begins with the acknowledgment that God has "searched" and "known" the psalmist. The Hebrew word for "searched" (חָקַרchaqar) implies a thorough investigation or examination.
"O LORDYou have searched me and known me." (Psalm 139:1)

2. God's Understanding of Daily Activities and Thoughts
God is aware of the psalmist's actions and thoughtseven before they are fully formed.
"You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." (Psalm 139:2)

3. God's Presence in Every Place
The psalmist acknowledges that there is no place where one can escape God's presence.
"Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?" (Psalm 139:7)

4. God's Guidance and Support
God's hand is seen as guiding and holding the psalmistindicating divine support and direction.
"Even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast." (Psalm 139:10)

5. God's Creation of the Individual
The psalmist reflects on being fearfully and wonderfully made by Godemphasizing the intimate involvement of God in creation. The Hebrew word for "knit" (רָקַםraqam) suggests intricate weaving.
"For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb." (Psalm 139:13)

6. God's Thoughts Toward the Individual
The psalmist marvels at the precious and vast nature of God's thoughts toward him.
"How precious to me are Your thoughtsO Godhow vast is their sum!" (Psalm 139:17)

7. The Psalmist's Desire for Righteousness
The psalmist expresses a desire for God to slay the wicked and distances himself from those who oppose God.
"If only You would slay the wickedO God—away from meyou bloodthirsty men!" (Psalm 139:19)

8. A Plea for Divine Examination and Guidance
The psalm concludes with a request for God to search the psalmist's heart and lead him in the way everlasting.
"Search meO Godand know my heart; test me and know my concerns." (Psalm 139:23)1. God’s Omniscience (Verses 1-6)
Psalm 139 begins with a profound acknowledgment of God's complete knowledge of the psalmist. The Hebrew root "ידע" (yada) is used to convey the intimate and comprehensive understanding God has of every aspect of the psalmist's life. The psalmist marvels at how God knows his thoughtsactionsand words even before they are formed.

2. God’s Omnipresence (Verses 7-12)
The psalmist reflects on the impossibility of escaping God's presence. The Hebrew word "רוח" (ruach)meaning spiritis used to express the idea that God's presence is everywhere. Whether in heavenSheolor the farthest reaches of the seaGod's presence is inescapableproviding comfort and assurance.

3. God’s Creative Power (Verses 13-16)
These verses celebrate God's role as the Creatoremphasizing His involvement in the formation of life. The Hebrew word "קנה" (qanah)meaning to create or possesshighlights God's intimate involvement in the psalmist's development in the womb. The psalmist acknowledges that every day of his life was ordained by God before any of them came to be.

4. God’s Precious Thoughts (Verses 17-18)
The psalmist expresses awe at the vastness and preciousness of God's thoughts towards him. The Hebrew root "יקר" (yaqar)meaning precious or valuableis used to describe God's thoughtswhich are more numerous than the grains of sand. This reflects the psalmist's deep appreciation for God's constant care and attention.

5. A Call for Justice (Verses 19-22)
The psalmist shifts to a plea for God to deal with the wicked. He expresses a strong desire for justice against those who oppose God. The Hebrew word "שנא" (sane)meaning to hateis used to describe the psalmist's stance against those who rise up against Godreflecting a zealous commitment to God's righteousness.

6. A Prayer for Guidance and Purity (Verses 23-24)
The psalm concludes with a personal prayer for God to search the psalmist's heart and lead him in the way everlasting. The Hebrew root "בחן" (bachan)meaning to examine or testis used as the psalmist invites God to scrutinize his innermost thoughts and intentionsseeking divine guidance and purity in his walk with God.1. God’s Omniscience
Psalm 139 emphasizes God's all-knowing nature. The psalmist acknowledges that God has searched and known himunderstanding his thoughts from afar (Psalm 139:1-2). The Hebrew root for "searched" (חָקַרchaqar) implies a deepthorough investigationhighlighting God's intimate knowledge of every aspect of our lives.

2. God’s Omnipresence
The psalmist reflects on the impossibility of escaping God's presencewhether in heavenSheolor the farthest sea (Psalm 139:7-10). The Hebrew word for "presence" (פָּנֶהpanim) suggests a face-to-face encounterindicating that God is personally present everywhere.

3. God’s Omnipotence in Creation
The psalmist marvels at God's power in creating lifeacknowledging that he was fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-14). The Hebrew word for "wonderfully" (פָּלָאpala) conveys the idea of being set apart or distinguishedunderscoring the uniqueness and intentionality of God's creative work.

4. God’s Intimate Involvement in Our Lives
The psalmist describes how God has ordained all his days before any of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). The Hebrew term for "ordained" (יָצַרyatsar) is often used in the context of forming or fashioningsuggesting God's active role in shaping the course of our lives.

5. The Inescapability of God’s Knowledge
The psalmist acknowledges that God's knowledge is too wonderful and lofty to attain (Psalm 139:6). This theme highlights the transcendence of God's understandingwhich surpasses human comprehension.

6. The Call for Righteousness and Justice
The psalmist expresses a desire for God to slay the wicked and declares his own hatred for those who oppose God (Psalm 139:19-22). This reflects a theme of aligning oneself with God's righteousness and seeking justice against evil.

7. A Prayer for Divine Examination and Guidance
The psalm concludes with a plea for God to search the psalmist's hearttest his thoughtsand lead him in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). The Hebrew word for "search" (חָקַרchaqar) is repeated hereemphasizing a desire for God’s continual guidance and purification.1. Psalm 139:1–4: How does God’s complete foreknowledge of every thought and word align with genuine human free will?

2. Psalm 139:7–10: If God is truly everywherehow can He coexist with evil or suffering in remote or unknown places?

3. Psalm 139:8: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence for the biblical concept of “Sheol,” or is it purely metaphorical?

4. Psalm 139:13–16: How do claims of being “knit together” in the womb reconcile with scientific explanations of conception and development?

5. Psalm 139:19–22: How do these verses endorsing hatred for the wicked align with other passages in the Bible that command love for one’s enemies?

1. What emotions or thoughts does God's omniscience stir in you?

2. How does the omnipresence of God provide comfort in times of loneliness or hardship?

3. How do you respond to the concept of God knowing every detail of your life?

4. How does knowing you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" impact your sense of self-worth?

5. In what ways have you experienced God's presence in your own life?

6. How does understanding God's intimate knowledge of you influence your decisions and actions?

7. If God knows our every thoughtwhy do you think prayer is important?

8. David invites God to search and test him. How comfortable are you with this idea and why?

9. What does it mean to be led in the 'everlasting way'? How does this apply to your life?

10. How can you apply the self-examination David exhibits in your own spiritual journey?

11. David speaks of darkness not being dark to God. How does this alter your perspective of 'dark' times in your life?

12. How can you better recognize and appreciate God's presence in all places and circumstances of your life?

13. How does acknowledging that God knew your unformed substance impact your view on the sanctity of life?

14. How does this Psalm encourage you to respond to those who are hostile towards God or His people?

15. How does understanding God's omniscience influence your understanding of sin and forgiveness?

16. What can you learn from David's attitude towards God in this Psalm? How can you adopt a similar mindset?

17. What steps can you take to ensure your words and thoughts are pleasing to Godknowing He is always aware of them?

18. How does the truth of God's constant presence influence your actions when you're alone or think no one is watching?

19. How can we apply the concept of being 'fearfully and wonderfully made' in our interactions with others?

20. In what ways does the truth of Psalm 139 shape your approach to life's challenges and opportunities?