Psalms 139:16

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

גָּלְמִ֤י׀ my substance yet being unperfect H1564
גָּלְמִ֤י׀ my substance yet being unperfect
Strong's: H1564
Word #: 1 of 12
a wrapped (and unformed mass, i.e., as the embryo)
רָ֘א֤וּ did see H7200
רָ֘א֤וּ did see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 2 of 12
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֵינֶ֗יךָ Thine eyes H5869
עֵינֶ֗יךָ Thine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 3 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְעַֽל H5921
וְעַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סִפְרְךָ֮ and in thy book H5612
סִפְרְךָ֮ and in thy book
Strong's: H5612
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כֻּלָּ֪ם H3605
כֻּלָּ֪ם
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִכָּ֫תֵ֥בוּ all my members were written H3789
יִכָּ֫תֵ֥בוּ all my members were written
Strong's: H3789
Word #: 7 of 12
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
יָמִ֥ים which in continuance H3117
יָמִ֥ים which in continuance
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יֻצָּ֑רוּ were fashioned H3335
יֻצָּ֑רוּ were fashioned
Strong's: H3335
Word #: 9 of 12
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
וְל֖אֹ H3808
וְל֖אֹ
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶחָ֣ד when as yet there was none H259
אֶחָ֣ד when as yet there was none
Strong's: H259
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
בָּהֶֽם׃ H0
בָּהֶֽם׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 12

Analysis & Commentary

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. Unperfect (גֹּלֶם, golem) means embryo, unformed mass—God sees value in the earliest stages of human development. In thy book (בְּסִפְרְךָ, be-sifrecha) references divine foreordination: God's plan existed before physical formation began.

All my members were written describes predetermined design—God doesn't improvise human creation but follows His eternal blueprint. In continuance were fashioned (יֻצָּרוּ, yutsaru, from יָצַר, yatsar—to form, potter's work) echoes Genesis 2:7. When as yet there was none of them emphasizes God's planning precedes existence: you were in God's mind before you were in your mother's womb. This verse is foundational for understanding divine providence and the sanctity of life from conception.

Historical Context

The concept of God's 'book' appears throughout Scripture (Exodus 32:32-33, Malachi 3:16, Revelation 20:12). For David, this meant God's sovereign record and plan. The idea that God predetermined each person's 'days' (some translations) appears in Ephesians 2:10—works prepared beforehand.

Questions for Reflection