Background Scripture: Psalm 139
Lesson Context: Psalm 139 is best known for the first verse, which states: “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.” As a hymn psalm attributed to King David, it is used to proclaim and sing about the glory of God and His wonderful works. Psalm 139 comes with 24 verses and each verse is packed with inspiring insights into God’s love, nature, and work.
The text assumes that David was beset by wicked adversaries opposed to him and to God. These individuals harbored animosity toward God, profaned His name, and spake maliciously against Him (Psalm 139:19-22, not in our printed text). Furthermore, David implored God to probe his innermost being and guide him toward eternal life). Psalm 139:23-24, not in our printed text. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025)
l. Unsearchable Knowledge (Psalm 139:1-6):
A. Complete Awareness. v.1. “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.” David prayed to Yahweh, understanding that He had personal knowledge of him. Pagans often thought that their gods were hostile of indifferent to men and women: David knew that the true God cared enough to have searched and known each man and woman. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
B. Complete Insight (vv. 2-3). 2. “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.” David used this proverbial phrase to say that God knew everything about him, even the most everyday things. As Jesus would later say, God knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). “You understand my thought afar off.” God not only knew the smallest aspects of David’s everyday life; He also knew his thoughts. God knows our words before we speak them, and there is nothing of us hidden from the all-knowing God. As David wrote, You are acquainted with all my ways. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary) 3. “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.” The psalmist emphasizes that God possesses knowledge of both public and private aspects of one’s life, from their travels (my path) to their rest (lying down).
C. Complete Understanding (vv. 4-6). 4. “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” In human communication, the potential for misinterpretation looms large. However, God possesses an unparalleled ability to comprehend every word even when it is mere thought or interpretation. No context or body language confuses His understanding. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025) 5a. “Thou hast beset me behind and before.”The normal sense of a hedge in the Bible is of a protective barrier. God hedged David on every side, so that nothing could come to David unless it first passes through God’s permission. What was true for David is true for all who trust in the Lord. 5b. “And laid Your hand upon me.” As with the hedge, this was an expression of God’s love and care for David. This was not the hand of oppression, but the hand of grace. 6. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” David concludes that God’s knowledge is far beyond the grasp of human comprehension. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary)
ll. Unavoidable Presence (Psalm 139:7-12):
A. In Space (vv. 7-10). 7. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I go from thy presence?” David considered the truth that God is present everywhere, and there is no corner or dimension of the universe hidden from Him. Heaven is too high and hell isn’t too low; God is everywhere. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary) vv. 8-10: These verses describe the omnipresence of God. God’s presence is everywhere.
B. In Darkness (vv. 11-12). 11a. “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me.” David introduces another conditional statement; the darkness here is figurative (metaphorical). Darkness characterizes the time when thieves are prone to operate (Job 24:16). (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025)
11b-12. “Even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day. The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” God’s presence with David was like a constant light in darkness. As the pillar of cloud illuminated Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21), so with God’s presence the night shines as the day. (David Gutz’s Bible Commentary). Even opposites such as darkness and light make no difference to God’s knowledge of David’s physical and spiritual locations. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025
