Psalms 139:5
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Original Language Analysis
אָח֣וֹר
me behind
H268
אָח֣וֹר
me behind
Strong's:
H268
Word #:
1 of 6
the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west
וָקֶ֣דֶם
and before
H6924
וָקֶ֣דֶם
and before
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
2 of 6
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
צַרְתָּ֑נִי
Thou hast beset
H6696
צַרְתָּ֑נִי
Thou hast beset
Strong's:
H6696
Word #:
3 of 6
to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.Psalms 34:7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Revelation 1:17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:Job 9:33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.Exodus 24:11And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
Historical Context
The imagery of being 'beset' would resonate deeply with David, who experienced literal siege warfare and also God's protective encirclement during his fugitive years fleeing Saul. This military metaphor transforms into a theological truth: God's sovereignty surrounds us completely.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'behind' (past failures or sins) or 'before' (future fears) are you trying to escape from, forgetting that God has already 'beset' those times with His presence?
- How does it feel to be 'confined' by God—is it oppressive restriction or liberating security?
- Where in your life do you need to feel God's hand laid upon you—for guidance, for healing, for commissioning?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me—The verb tzur (צוּר, 'beset') means to bind, confine, or enclose—like a city under siege. God surrounds David from all temporal directions: behind (past) and before (future). This is not hostile encirclement but protective encompassing. The laying on of God's hand (kaph, כַּף) suggests both authority and blessing, like a hand placed on one's head in commissioning.
David cannot escape into past regrets or future anxieties; God occupies every temporal space. This divine 'besetting' means we cannot outrun our history or our destiny—both are held in God's hand. The very hand that constrains us also guides, protects, and blesses.