Psa 139 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 139:1-24: Ps 139 In this wisdom psalm, the psalmist opens every aspect of his being, character, behavior, and speech to God’s examination. As hard as life is, he wants to ensure his own growth in wisdom so that he does not come under God’s judgment of the wicked (141:5 ; 142:3 ; 143:8 , 10 ; 144:3-4 ). Further, the poet recognizes that he cannot escape from the Lord. His sense of stress disappears when he considers the Lord’s loving care for him, even before birth (139:13-18 ). He then invites the Lord to continue examining him as he walks in the path of wisdom (139:23-24 ). Summary for Ps 139:1-6: 139:1-6 The Lord knows the psalmist well; God has examined him thoroughly, in an inescapable examination that is painful at times (Job 7:17-19 ).

Summary for Ps 139:1-24: Ps 139 ^a In this wisdom psalm, the psalmist opens every aspect of his being, character, behavior, and speech to God’s examination. As hard as life is, he wants to ensure his own growth in wisdom so that he does not come under God’s judgment of the wicked (141:5 ^b; 142:3 ^c; 143:8 ^d, 10 ^e; 144:3-4 ^f). Further, the poet recognizes that he cannot escape from the Lord. His sense of stress disappears when he considers the Lord’s loving care for him, even before birth (139:13-18 ^g). He then invites the Lord to continue examining him as he walks in the path of wisdom (139:23-24 ^h).
Summary for Ps 139:1-6: 139:1-6 ⁱ The Lord knows the psalmist well; God has examined him thoroughly, in an inescapable examination that is painful at times (Job 7:17-19 ^j).
139:2 ^k The phrase sit down or stand up refers to daily activities (cp. Deut 6:6-9 ^l).
Summary for Ps 139:3-6: 139:3-6 ^m The Lord’s omniscience and omnipotence provide comfort to the godly, but they imprison the hearts of the wicked (2:3 ⁿ).
139:6 ^o The Lord’s wonderful understanding lies beyond the psalmist’s ability to comprehend (see Judg 13:18 ^p).
Summary for Ps 139:7-12: 139:7-12 ^q The psalmist expresses his awe at the Lord’s omnipresence.
139:8 ^r down to the grave: God has total access to his entire creation—even the most hard-to-reach places.
139:9 ^s ride the wings of the morning: This poetic expression describes traveling eastward, as far as the sunrise, if that were possible.

• the farthest oceans: This expression takes the traveler in the opposite direction, far to the west.
139:13 ^t The delicate, inner parts of the body include a person’s very being.

• Even when hidden in his mother’s womb, the psalmist was guided by the Lord.
139:17 ^u How precious are your thoughts about me: God’s investigation reveals loving care. Fellowship with the Lord provides riches beyond description.
Summary for Ps 139:19-24: 139:19-24 ^v The psalmist’s sense of awe leads him to consider the wicked and to reflect on himself. The Lord, as the examiner of all people, judges the wicked for their destructive acts and speech; thus, the psalmist prays that he will not be among them.
139:21 ^w I hate: Rejection of evil is a mark of wisdom (see 1:1 ^x; 5:4-6 ^y).
Summary for Ps 139:23-24: 139:23-24 ^z The psalmist’s prayer against the wicked leads him also to reflect on himself; he does not presume that he is righteous. This prayer has been repeated by believers over the centuries.
139:24 ^aa The path of wisdom leads to everlasting life (see 1:6 ^ab; Prov 4:18 ^ac; 6:23 ^ad).