Psalms 139:23
What does Psalms 139:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:23 means
After expressing his strong feelings against the wicked, David humbly turns back to God, asking Him to "Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts." This is a powerful prayer for divine introspection, requesting that the all-knowing God (whose knowledge he has just spent the psalm describing) examine his innermost being. He invites God to scrutinize his motives and intentions, demonstrating a desire for purity and a reliance on God's perfect judgment rather than his own.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O God, let the secrets of my heart be uncovered, and let my wandering thoughts be tested:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Search me, O God, and know my heart, Try me, and know my thoughts,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Search me, OGod, and know my heart; prove me, and know my thoughts;
Context
After a fervent section focused on God's justice against the wicked and David's alignment against them, this verse marks a crucial return to personal introspection and prayer. It serves as a powerful concluding appeal, directly echoing the psalm's opening theme of God searching and knowing him (verse 1), bringing a sense of theological completion to his profound meditation. This humility sets the stage for his final request for divine guidance, asking God to reveal and correct any hidden sin.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 8:16
who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not; that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end:
- Zechariah 13:9
And I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, Jehovah is my God.
- Malachi 3:2
But who can abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
- Psalms 26:2
Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; Try my heart and my mind.
- Job 31:6
(Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know mine integrity);
- Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
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