Psalm 139:1-24
Q.1. How comprehensive is God’s knowledge of His children? Are there any circumstances under which God ceases to care? – (Ps.139:1-12)
This Psalm of David is greatly loved, as it describes God’s wisdom and personal care for His own children. God knows absolutely everything about us – 3 You scrutinize my path and lying down and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold You know it all (Ps.139:3-4). David was blown away by the realization that God knows the end from the beginning (see Ps.139:7). He considered circumstances such as distance and darkness and concluded that nothing in all the world is hidden from God – Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You Ps.139:12).
Q.2. When did God first know us? Does He control the length and end of our days? What does this tell us about the dignity of man? – (Ps.139:13-18 c.f. Jer.1:5)
David particularly considered the creation of man – 13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb … 15 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skilfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them (Ps.139:13, 15-16). Though all of us carry genes from our parents, it is God Who has formed each one of us according to His plans and purposes. He has also assigned the exact length of our days upon earth (see Ps.139:16 c.f. Ps.90:10). The Psalmist burst into praise, at the realisation that humanity is so precious to God (see Ps.139:17-18). This Psalm speaks of the dignity that God has built into us, in a way that is not true for any of His other creatures.
Q.3. How are we to understand David’s hatred of godless men? What difference would David’s prayer make in verse 23-24? – (Ps.139:19-24 c.f. Lk.14:26)
David’s hatred of God-haters is comparative. This is like the demands by Jesus concerning hatred of our families, compared with our love for Him (see Ps.139:19-22 c.f. Lk.14:26). His concluding prayer is crucial for our perspective on what really matters in life – 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way (Ps.139:23-24). Such an intimate and honest prayer helps us to keep growing in Christlikeness.