139:2 Thou knowest my a downsitting and mine uprising, thou
understandest my thought afar off.
(a) He confesses that neither our actions, thoughts or any
part of our life can be hid from God, though he seems
to be far off.
139:3 Thou b compassest my path and my lying down, and art
acquainted [with] all my ways.
(b) So that they are evidently known to you.
139:4 For [there is] not a word in my c tongue, [but], lo, O
LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
(c) You know my meaning before I speak.
139:5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine d
hand upon me.
(d) You so guide me with your hand, that I can turn no
way, but where you appoint me.
139:7 Whither shall I go from thy e spirit? or whither shall
I flee from thy presence?
(e) From your power and knowledge?
139:10 Even there shall thy hand f lead me, and thy right hand
shall hold me.
(f) Your power holds me so fast that there is no way I
can escape from you.
139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the
night shall be g light about me.
(g) Though darkness is a hinderance to man's sight, yet
is serves your eyes as well as the light.
139:13 For thou hast h possessed my reins: thou hast covered
me in my mother's womb.
(h) You have made me in all parts and therefore must know
me.
139:14 I will praise thee; for I am i fearfully [and]
wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that]
my soul knoweth right well.
(i) Considering your wonderful work in forming me, I
cannot but praise you and fear your mighty power.
139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in
secret, [and] curiously wrought k in the lowest parts
of the earth.
(k) That is, in my mother's womb: which he compares to
the inward parts of the earth.
139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; l
and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in
continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none
of them.
(l) Seeing that you knew me before I was composed of
either flesh or bone, much more now must you know me
when you have fashioned me.
139:17 How m precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!
how great is the sum of them!
(m) How should we esteem the excellent declaration of
your wisdom in the creation of man?
139:18 [If] I should count them, they are more in number than
the sand: when I awake, n I am still with thee.
(n) I continually see new opportunity to meditate in your
wisdom, and to praise you.
139:21 Do not I o hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am
not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
(o) He teaches us boldly to contemn all the hatred of the
wicked and friendship of the world, when they would
prevent us from serving God sincerely.
139:24 And see if [there be any] p wicked way in me, and lead
me in the q way everlasting.
(p) Or any heinous or rebellious way: meaning that though
he was subject to sin, yet he was not given to
wickedness, and to provoke God by rebellion.
(q) That is, continue your favour toward me to the end.
