ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Psalms 139

Psalm Ps. 139. The closing request of this hymn (“search me, O God, and know my heart”) echoes the opening statement. This highlights the psalm’s theme: God’s knowledge of his people.

Ps. 139:1–6 Verse 1 states the theme of the psalm (you have searched me and known me). Verses 2–6 develop that further as a general assertion: God knows all of my activities, all of my words, even my inmost thoughts.

Ps. 139:5 lay your hand upon me. A gentle, reassuring gesture.

Ps. 139:7–12 The next section makes it clear that there is no way the singer can escape such knowledge. There is nowhere in the universe that God will not be present to lead and hold the believer, and nowhere too dark for God to see him. Some have supposed that the impulse to flee comes from a guilty conscience, but this is unlikely: these verses take delight in the fact that God will “lead” him, an entirely positive benefit.

Ps. 139:8–9 These verses use two pairs of opposites: heaven and Sheol; the wings of the morning and the uttermost parts of the sea. This indicates that everything in between is included.

Ps. 139:13–16 These verses illustrate the point of vv. 11–12 by describing a particular “dark place” where the Lord saw and cared for the singer, namely, his mother’s womb. God was active as the unformed substance (embryo) grew and developed. God is the one who formed my inward parts and knitted me together.

Ps. 139:14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made. If the esv text is followed, the statement helps the worshiper to marvel over the mysterious process of a developing baby. The esv footnote translation, “I am fearfully set apart,” takes the word to be the term for God setting his people apart (Ex. 8:22; Ps. 4:3) or making a distinction between them and those who are not his people (Ex. 9:4; 11:7; 33:16).

Ps. 139:15 in the depths of the earth. As a parallel to in secret, this would be a poetic expression for the darkness and secrecy of the womb.

Ps. 139:17–18 These verses provide the right response to the vast extent of God’s thoughts. Verse 18 seems to picture the hopelessness of trying to count God’s thoughts: the number is so large that one would fall asleep attempting it.

Ps. 139:19–22 The wicked person, who joins with men of blood, who speak against God with malicious intent, is someone who actively opposes God.

Ps. 139:23–24 In view of these reflections, the members of the congregation invite God to continue his work of searching and knowing their hearts. God will expose any grievous way (character traits or actions that leads to grief) and will lead the faithful in the way everlasting (the way that leads to eternal life).