PSALM 139 * The All-knowing and Ever-present God. "Psalm 139 is something of an exception in the Old Testament, speaking strongly and positively about the individual." 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Daily Readings. and layest thy hand upon me. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well. 14I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. If I descend into Hell, you are near. Psalms 139 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest and biblical scholar Rev. Thanks, God Bless! 15My bone, which you have made in secret, has not been hidden from you, and my substance is in accord with the lower parts of the earth. Lord, you have seen what is in my heart. 20For you say in thought: They will accept your cities in vain. If I descend into Hell, you are near. You men of blood: depart from me. Rescue me, O Lord, from the evil man. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 22I have hated them with a perfect hatred, and they have become enemies to me. You men of blood: depart from me. Commentary, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-14, Anne E. Streaty-Wimblerly, The African American Lectionary, 2008. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well. Psalm 139 The Inescapable God - To the leader. 18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. Question me, and know my paths. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them. 20For you say in thought: They will accept your cities in vain. A Psalm. 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? Question me, and know my paths. 16Your eyes saw my imperfection, and all this shall be written in your book. 18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. 11And I said: Perhaps darkness will overwhelm me, and the night will be my illumination, to my delight. My path and my fate, you have investigated. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 24And see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity. You know everything I do;from far away you understand all my thoughts. 11And I said: Perhaps darkness will overwhelm me, and the night will be my illumination, to my delight. 24And see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity. 22I have hated them with a perfect hatred, and they have become enemies to me. 13For you have possessed my temperament. I rose up, and I am still with you. with all my ways you are familiar. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them. It has been reinforced, and I am not able to prevail against it. 19O God, if only you would cut down sinners. The RSV has: 14 I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful. 12But darkness will not be impenetrable to you, and night will illuminate like the day: for just as its darkness is, so also is its light. 19O God, if only you would cut down sinners. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue,. Question me, and know my paths. 1Unto the end. 13For you have possessed my temperament. 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? You have supported me from the womb of my mother. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. 3You have understood my thoughts from afar. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. O LORD, you have searched me and known me. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. From the earliest days of my spiritual life, Psalm 139 has been a beloved passage. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. Open their hearts and minds with Your Light. night unto night whispers knowledge. 17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? Their first ruler has been exceedingly strengthened. 6Your knowledge has become a wonder to me. I rose up, and I am still with you. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them. If I descend into Hell, you are near. For the director of music. He knows our actions from the time we rise in the morning until the moment we go to bed at night. The psalm opens and closes with God’s knowledge of his people: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” (verse 1) “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly well. Their first ruler has been exceedingly strengthened. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 23Examine me, O God, and know my heart. 139 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 22I have hated them with a perfect hatred, and they have become enemies to me. A psalm. 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? You men of blood: depart from me. 6Your knowledge has become a wonder to me. 17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. 6Your knowledge has become a wonder to me. 4And you have foreseen all my ways. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. A psalm. Question me, and know my paths. As the psalmist was given pause by the thought of God’s perv… LORD, you know it all.. 5 Behind and before you encircle me 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? I. I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; a in the presence of the angels * to you I sing.. 2 I bow low toward your holy temple;. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in them. Psalm 139:16. 19When you would destroy the wicked, O God, 20Your foes who conspire a plot against you. ©2021 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Explore more inspirational selections here. 19O God, if only you would cut down sinners. 4And you have foreseen all my ways. R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way. 17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. 24And see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity. 24And see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity. I rose up, and I am still with you. 8If I ascend into heaven, you are there. Eripe me, Domine. Psalm 139 in the RSV Recently, while I was doing an introductory talk on Scripture in front of a group of adults, in the middle of the talk I was inspired to refer and quote from Psalm 139. 14I will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. 18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness. Responsorial Psalm . 11And I said: Perhaps darkness will overwhelm me, and the night will be my illumination, to my delight. 18I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. 21Have I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemies? You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:23 Prove me, O God, and know my heart: examine me, and know my paths. Maybe you’ve had people close to you leave you: a friend or even a parent. 23Examine me, O God, and know my heart. I think this refers both to God’s foreknowledge, and to the mystery of divine predestination and of our role in God’s plan. 8If I ascend into heaven, you are there. Guided prayer time for kids! 17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. In two distinct moments, the Liturgy of Vespers -- on whose psalms and canticles we are meditating -- proposes to us the reading of a sapiential hymn of transparent beauty and of intense emotional impact, Psalm 138(139). Of David. 10even there, your hand will lead me forth, and your right hand will hold me. 17But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. 139. God knows everything about us. You have supported me from the womb of my mother. The psalm opens and closes with God’s knowledge of his people: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” (verse 1) “Search me, O God, and know my heart! 20For you say in thought: They will accept your cities in vain. 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