Psalm 139: God knows you.

January 14, 2021 (Thursday)

 

Psalm 139. It is a majestic and wide sweeping hymn with deep foundational theology. Let’s dive into the Psalm.

 

The Psalm begins, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” [Psalm 139:1 ESV] The idea of “searched” is God has careful investigated and examined him. Nothing is left unknown, to God, about the individual.

 

God knows everything we do and think. “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” [Psalm 139:2 ESV] God even knows our thoughts “from afar.” Even when we are in process of forming thoughts, God knows them. God understands our reasoning process.

 

David continues to describe the thoroughness of God’s knowledge, “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” [Psalm 139:3 ESV] If God knows when we sit down, then God knows our path. If God knows “when I rise up,” then God also knows “my lying down.” God understands our “ways.” By this I think the patterns and traits that make us who we are.

 

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” [Psalm 129:4 ESV] God knows how we think. Our words, both spoken and thought, are understood by God. (Caution: not everything we think is ours. You can ask me about it.) At this point it seems David is just piling on, but we need this to get the full effect.

 

Alert: a bit of theology. “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” [Psalm 139:5 ESV] Not only is God omniscience (all knowing) but God is also omnipresent (present everywhere). It sounds like one of those creepy rock songs, but every step you take, every move you make… God is watching.

 

I think the reference to God hemming (literally cramping) the person in and having His hand on us is about an attempt to lead and guide. Please note, there is no predetermination meant in this verse. God does not cause us to sin. I think the idea here is God will resist us in our sinful ways.

 

David now breaks the train of thought, “That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t reach it.” [Psalm 139:6 ESV] In other word, WOW!!! At this point in describing God’s complete knowledge of us, there is an expression of utter amazement.

 

What is not said is God loves us… anyway, unconditionally, where we are at. Nobody deserves this love. Maybe that’s the point. God understands we are broken by the curse of sin, we are blinded by the “god” of this age, and we are bummed out by the realities of this life.

 

Bask in the warmth of God’s love. Come back for more of the story from Psalm 139.

 

This Sunday I am starting a series on the end times. It will be different than what you have already read on this blog, mostly. If you can find us, please join us.