psalm-139:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:1-6

David here lays down this great doctrine, That the God with whom we have to do has a perfect knowledge of us, and that all the motions and actions both of our inward and of our outward man are naked and open before him. I. He lays down this doctrine in the way of an address to God; he says it to him, acknowledging it to him, and giving him the glory of it. Divine truths look fully as well when they are prayed over as when they are preached over, and much better than when they are disputed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:4

For there is not a word in my tongue ,.... Expressed by it or upon it, just ready to be spoken; or, as the Targum, "when there is no word in my tongue:' so Aben Ezra, "before it was perfect in my tongue:' before it is formed there; while it is in the mind, and not expressed, and even before that; but , lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether ; the whole of it, from whence it springs; the reason of it, what is designed, or the ends to be answered by it. The Lord knows the good... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:4

There is not a word in my tongue - Although ( כי ki ) there be not a word in my tongue, behold O Jehovah, thou knowest the whole of it, that is, thou knowest all my words before they are uttered as thou knowest all my thoughts while as yet they are unformed. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:4

Verse 4 4.For there is not a word, etc. The words admit a double meaning. Accordingly some understand them to imply that God knows what, we are about to say before the words are formed on our tongue; others, that though we speak not a word, and try by silence to conceal our secret intentions, we cannot elude his notice. Either rendering amounts to the same thing, and it is of no consequence which we adopt. The idea meant to be conveyed is, that while the tongue is the index of thought to man,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-6

God's knowledge of us. 1. We sometimes say that "we know" a certain man who is a neighbor. By this we may mean nothing more than that we can distinguish him from his fellows, and give him his proper name. That is a slight acquaintance indeed. 2. Sometimes when we make such an affirmation we mean that we have a general knowledge of his occupation and his more outward and formal habits. That goes a very little way. 3. Sometimes we mean more than this—we intimate that we know what a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

Lord, thou knowest altogether. This psalm, one of the most sublime of them all, is of unknown authorship. It seems to be the composition of some saint of God who lived after the Captivity. If so , what proof it gives of the blessing of sanctified sorrow (cf. the probably companion psalm, Psalms 119:1-176 ; Psalms 119:67 , Psalms 119:71 , Psalms 119:75 )! The furnace of the Exile, the husks of the far country, did bring prodigal Israel to himself; and this psalm is one clear... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:4

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. What has been already said of deeds and thoughts is now extended to "words." God hears every word we speak. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:4

For there is not a word in my tongue - All that I say; all that I have power to say; all that I am disposed at any time to say.But lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether - All that pertains to it. What is “said,” and what is “meant.” Merely to “hear” what is spoken does not imply necessarily a full knowledge of what is said - for it may be false, insincere, hypocritical. God knows exactly what is said and what is “meant.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 139:4-5

Psalms 139:4-5. There is not a word in my tongue, &c. Thou knowest what I speak, and with what design and disposition of mind. There is not a vain word, not a good word, but thou knowest it altogether What it means, what thought gives birth to it, and with what intention it is uttered. Or, as others render the clause, When there is not a word, &c.; thou knowest what I am about to speak, either in prayer to thee, or in conversation with men, when I have not yet uttered one word... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 139:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 139:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:1-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 139:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 139:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 139:4-5

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