By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
GOD’S GREATNESS
Psalm 139:1–4, 7–16
While Psalm 139 contains lofty theology concerning God’s omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence, it is also wonderfully personal because it speaks of these attributes of God in ways that impact the psalmist and us as well. It concludes with two practical aims that become clear by the end of the psalm. First, the writer wants to separate himself from everyone who deliberately practices evil. Second, he wants God to search him thoroughly and cleanse him from anything offensive to God.
His Knowledge (1–4)
David began this psalm by affirming that the Lord had “searched” him. The idea is that the faithful, eternal, personal, covenant-keeping God had diligently probed his innermost being. David used figurative language to declare that the Lord’s knowledge of him was similar to what was known after a purposeful, prolonged, extensive investigation into something. The Lord knew everything there was to know about him.
God knew all of David’s activities and all of his thoughts as well. God knew his deepest longings, failures, concerns and motivations. The transcendence of God did not hinder God from intimately knowing everything there was to know about David. Our God is both transcendent and immanent.
God even knew the exact distance David traveled each day and exactly how long David slept each night. God is aware of every detail of our lives. David’s declaration in verse 4 acknowledged the Lord’s omniscience. He knows our actions, thoughts, words and motivations.
His presence (7–12)
Not only does God know everything about us, but He is also everywhere. David considered the effect of the Lord’s omnipresence on him. David posed two hypothetical questions in verse 7. The answer to both questions is “nowhere.” We may seek to hide from the Lord, but we never win when we play hide-and-seek with God. David was praising God that it was impossible for him to flee God’s presence. If he were to go high to heaven or low into Sheol, God was there. If he were to flee eastward or westward, God would be there.
God would not only be there, but He would also be there guiding and protecting David. He knew the Lord was faithfully watching over him in every place and circumstance. Even darkness could not keep the Lord from seeing him. David was comforted by the truth that the Lord sees through the thickest darkness. God sees us even in times of utter darkness.
His Power (13–16)
David wrote this psalm with his heart as well as with his head. He was not thinking of God’s omnipotence abstractly but as it applied to him. He focused on the power of God in forming him while he was in his mother’s womb. The language employed by David implied intricate care and precision.
These verses clearly teach the individuality of each child in the womb. No matter how small, a child is a person, not just a part of a woman’s body like a gallbladder or appendix that a mother can elect to have removed. The problem with trying to determine a point before which the developing child is fully human is that there isn’t one. When the two sets of chromosomes combine, not only does the development of life continue steadily unless interrupted, but the life that is developing is a unique life.
God created every human being for a purpose. No one is an accident. God’s power is demonstrated in His creative design and providential direction.
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