Psalms 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Original Language Analysis
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֑נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
נִ֝שְׂגְּבָ֗ה
for me it is high
H7682
נִ֝שְׂגְּבָ֗ה
for me it is high
Strong's:
H7682
Word #:
4 of 7
to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!Job 42:3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.Job 26:14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?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.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom literature frequently acknowledged the limits of human understanding compared to divine wisdom (Job 28:12-28; Proverbs 25:2). David, despite being a king with considerable power and knowledge, here models intellectual humility before the incomprehensible God—a corrective to human pride.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of God's knowledge do you struggle to accept because you cannot 'attain' them or understand them fully?
- How does acknowledging that God's knowledge is 'too wonderful' for you change your posture from trying to figure everything out to trusting Him?
- Are there mysteries in your life that God knows completely while you only see in part—and can you rest in His higher knowledge?
Analysis & Commentary
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it—The adjective pele (פֶּלֶא, 'wonderful') denotes what is extraordinary, surpassing, miraculous—used of God's mighty works (Exodus 15:11). Divine omniscience isn't just comprehensive but qualitatively different from human knowledge. It is high (sagab, שָׂגַב)—exalted, inaccessible, beyond reach. David doesn't mean he cannot comprehend God's knowledge intellectually (though that's true); he means he cannot attain it experientially or possess it.
This is the proper posture before mystery: wonder rather than mastery. The finite cannot contain the infinite. God's knowledge humbles us not to despair but to worship. We don't need to know everything God knows; we need to trust the One who does.