Psalms 139:17
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יָּקְר֣וּ
How precious
H3365
יָּקְר֣וּ
How precious
Strong's:
H3365
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e., (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
אֵ֑ל
unto me O God
H410
אֵ֑ל
unto me O God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
5 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
מֶ֥ה
H4100
מֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Psalms 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.Jeremiah 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Psalms 36:7How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.Psalms 92:5O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.Psalms 31:19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!Proverbs 8:31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Historical Context
The Hebrew concept of God's 'thoughts' differs from Greek philosophical abstraction—these are covenant thoughts, relational intentions. Jeremiah 29:11 echoes this: 'I know the thoughts that I think toward you.' For David, fleeing enemies (possibly Absalom or Saul), this was profound comfort.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God's thoughts toward you are 'precious' rather than condemning change your view of His omniscience?
- In what specific area of your life do you need to trust that God's innumerable thoughts toward you are good and purposeful?
- How should the preciousness of God's thoughts toward you shape how you think about others?
Analysis & Commentary
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! David's response to divine omniscience (vv. 1-6) and creative providence (vv. 13-16) is wonder, not terror. Precious (יָקָר, yaqar) means costly, weighty, honored—God's thoughts toward His people have infinite value. Thoughts (רֵעִים, re'im) can mean purposes, plans, or intentions—not mere abstract ideas but active divine concern.
How great is the sum of them (רָאשֵׁיהֶם, rasheihem) literally means 'their heads' or chief parts—even counting only the main categories of God's thoughts would be overwhelming. This verse bridges the psalm's first half (God's knowledge) with the intensely personal application: God's omniscience is not cold surveillance but caring attentiveness. Every thought of God toward you is precious, purposeful, and innumerable.