Psalms 139:1
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Jeremiah 12:3But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.Psalms 44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.Psalms 139:23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:Psalms 17:3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.1 Kings 8:39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.Revelation 2:18And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Historical Context
Composed by David, likely during his reign (c. 1010-970 BC). As Israel's shepherd-king, David understood both the comfort and weight of being known by God. This psalm reflects mature theological reflection on God's attributes, possibly written during a time of introspection or after experiencing God's protective providence.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of your life do you try to hide from God's searching gaze, even though He already knows them completely?
- How does knowing that God's knowledge of you is intimate (<em>yada</em>) rather than merely intellectual change your relationship with Him?
- In what ways does God's exhaustive knowledge of you bring comfort rather than fear?
Analysis & Commentary
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me—The verb chaqar (חָקַר, 'searched') means to probe deeply, to examine thoroughly, like a miner excavating precious ore. This is no surface-level glance but divine investigation to the core of being. The parallel verb yada (יָדַע, 'known') signifies intimate, experiential knowledge—the same word used of marital union (Genesis 4:1). God doesn't merely know about us; He knows us with perfect, exhaustive intimacy.
David opens this psalm acknowledging that divine omniscience precedes human self-knowledge. Before we examine ourselves, we have already been examined by the One who formed us. This foundational truth grounds all authentic spirituality: we worship a God who knows us completely and loves us anyway.