Psalms 139:16
What does Psalms 139:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:16 means
This verse reveals the peak of God's foreknowledge regarding David's life. Even before his physical form was complete ("unformed substance"), God's eyes saw him. Not only that, but all his days were already "written" in God's "book," ordained and planned, even when "as yet there was none of them." This speaks to God's comprehensive sovereign plan for each individual, demonstrating that life is not accidental but purposefully designed by an omniscient Creator.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Eventhe days that were ordainedfor me, When as yet there was none of them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Eventhe days that were ordainedfor me, When as yet there was none of them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Mine unformed substance Thine eyes saw, And on Thy book all of them are written, The days they were formed--And not one among them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thine eyes did see my unformed substance, and in thy book all [my members] were written; [during many] days were they fashioned, when [as yet] there was none of them.
Context
This verse acts as the climax of David's meditation on God's creative power and foreknowledge. It moves beyond physical formation to the pre-ordained plan for his entire life, culminating the theme of God's intimate knowledge from the very beginning. This incredible display of divine sovereignty naturally leads David to reflect on the preciousness of God's thoughts, which he explores in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 3:16
Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.
- Psalms 56:8
Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?
- Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
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