Psalms 139:1
What does Psalms 139:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:1 means
Here, David begins by acknowledging God's complete and thorough knowledge of him. The word "searched" implies a deep, penetrating examination, not a casual glance. God has not merely observed David, but has investigated every aspect of his being, both internal and external. This isn't an intrusive or judgmental search, but rather an intimate understanding that speaks to the personal relationship between the Creator and His creation. This foundational truth sets the stage for the rest of the psalm.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and knownme.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and knownme.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O Lord, you have knowledge of me, searching out all my secrets.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862To the Overseer. --A Psalm by David. Jehovah, Thou hast searched me, and knowest.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Unto the end, a psalm of David.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
Context
This verse marks the beginning of David's profound meditation on God's omniscience. It introduces the central theme of God's intimate knowledge of humanity, upon which the subsequent verses will elaborate. What follows is an exploration of how deeply God knows every facet of David's life, from his daily routines to his innermost thoughts.
v.1This passage
v.2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
- Psalms 11:4
Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
- Psalms 17:3
Thou hast proved my heart; thou hast visited me in the night; Thou hast tried me, and findest nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
- Revelation 2:18
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:
- 1 Kings 8:39
then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
- Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
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