Bible Commentary

[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 18. moe ] For this archaism cp. Psa 69:4. when I awake &c.] His last thoughts as he falls asleep are of God; and when he awakes, he finds himself still in His Presence, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:18”

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 17. To me then, who am the object of all this care, how precious are thy thoughts, O God! It is my delight to meditate upon the purposes of Thy Providence. How vast are the sums of them! … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:17”

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them. 16. my substance, yet being unperfect ] R.V. mine unperfect substance. The word ( glem) is a different one from that in Psa 139:15, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:16”

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 15. my substance ] R.V. my frame, lit. my bones or skeleton. in secret ] i.e. in the womb ( Psa 139:13). curiously wrought ] i.e. fashioned with skill and care. ( … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:15”

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. 14. I will praise thee ] I will give thanks unto thee. I am fearfully and wonderfully made ] The Ancient Versions represent the second person, thou art fearfully wondrous. marvellous ] Wonderful, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:14”

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 13. For it was thou that didst form my reins] Thou is emphatic. The connexion of thought expressed by for is not obvious; but it appears to give a reason for the intimate knowledge of which the preceding verses have spoken. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:13”

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee – Margin, as in Hebrew, darkeneth not. Darkness does not make darkness to thee. It makes things dark to us; not to him. So … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:12”

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 11, 12. And if I say, Nay, but darkness might shroud me, And the light about me become night; Even darkness hideth not from thee, &c. It is as impossible to hide from God under cover of darkness … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:11”

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 10. The thought in this context is not primarily that wherever he goes God’s providential care accompanies him, but that there is no place in the universe where he can escape from the control and authority of God. “Dextra Dei ubique.” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:10”

[If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 9. If I should lift up the wings of the dawn &c.] If I were to fly with the swiftness of light from the east to the furthest west. The dawn swiftly spreading over the sky, is naturally … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 139:9”