Psalm 139:13-15

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 139:15

Psalms 139:15. Curiously wrought— Bishop Lowth, speaking of images in the Hebrew poetry, taken from things sacred, has the following observation: "In that most perfect hymn, where the immensity of the Omnipresent Deity, and the admirable wisdom of the Divine Artificer in framing the human body, are celebrated, the poet uses a remarkable metaphor, drawn from the nicest tapestry work: When I was formed in secret; When I was wrought, as with a needle, in the lowest parts of the earth. He who... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:1-24

Psalms 139David praised God for His omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence in this popular psalm. It is a plea for God to search the life to expose sin. It consists of four strophes of six verses each."The Gelineau version gives the psalm the heading ’The Hound of Heaven’, a reminder that Francis Thompson’s fine poem of that name owed its theme of flight and pursuit largely to the second stanza here (Psalms 139:7-12), which is one of the summits of Old Testament poetry." [Note: Kidner,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:13-14

The word "For" indicates that what follows explains what precedes. Since God creates people, He knows them intimately, and He is always with them. The idea of God creating David arose from Psalms 139:11-12. Forming as a potter and knitting as a weaver describe the gestation process figuratively (Psalms 139:13). "Thou" or "You" is again in the emphatic first position in the Hebrew text. David marveled at God’s amazing power in creating him by the embryonic process of fetal development. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:13-18

3. God’s omnipotence 139:13-18 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 139:15-16

These verses stress selected features of God superintending the process of human fetal formation in the womb. The reference to "frame" means skeleton of bones. The "depths of the earth" is a figure of speech for the womb. When God was forming David in his mother’s womb he was as far from human view as if he were in the depths of the earth. His "unformed substance" is his embryo. The Lord’s book is the book of the living. David said God predetermined the length of his life before birth. In view... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 139:1-24

One of the very greatest of the Pss. No grander tribute has ever been paid to the omniscience and omnipresence of God. The Ps. is ascribed to David, but the Hebrew is decisive in favour of a date very long after David, being marked by Aramaisms.1-6. God’s omniscience. 7-12. God’s omnipresence. 13-18. God’s wonderful providence in human life. 19-22. God’s hatred of sin. 23, 24. A prayer that the Psalmist may be cleansed from all evil.3. Compassest] RM ’winnowest,’ i.e. scrutinisest. 5. Beset]... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 139:13

(13) For . . .—The mystery of birth regarded as one of the greatest mysteries (see Ecclesiastes 11:5), is a proof of God’s omniscience.Possessed.—The context seems to require formed, fashioned, as, according to Gesenius, in Deuteronomy 32:6, (Authorised Version “bought”) (Comp. Genesis 14:19, where maker should be read for possessor.)For “reins” see Psalms 16:7.Covered me.—Most critics render here didst weave me. (Comp. Job 10:11.) But the usual sense of the word cover or protect, suits equally... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 139:14

(14) For I am . . .—Literally, because I am fearfully separated or distinguished (see Note on Psalms 26:7; Psalms 40:5), which might mean separated from the womb, i.e., born. (Comp. Galatians 1:15; Psalms 22:10.) Or if the reference is national rather than individual, it would imply, as so frequently, the choice of Israel by Jehovah in distinction to other races. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 139:15

(15) Substance.—Aquila “bones,” LXX. and Vulg. “bone,” Symmachus “strength.” Perhaps, generally, body. But the common Hebrew word for bone differs only in the pointing.In secret.—Comp. Æsch. Eum. 665.Curiously wrought.—From the use of the verb in Exodus 26:36; Exodus 27:16, it plainly refers to some kind of tapestry work, but whether of the nature of weaving or embroidery is matter of controversy. The English sufficiently suggests the figure.In the lowest parts of the earth.—This figurative... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 139:1-24

The Searching of God Psalms 139:1 We are prone to associate the searching-work of God with events of a striking or memorable kind. It is in great calamities and overwhelming sorrow that we feel with peculiar vividness God's presence. When Job was in the enjoyment of prosperity he was an eminently reverent man; but it was in the hour of his black and bitter midnight that he cried out, 'The hand of God hath touched me'. And that same spirit lodges in every breast, so that God's searching comes... read more

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