If you remember, when we began, we said that although this psalm is attributed to David, there is no historic reference that allows us to pinpoint it with any accuracy. In section one, which was verses 1–6, we saw how the psalmist says, “God knows me intimately” in verses 7–12, “God is with me constantly” in verses 13–18, “God has made me wonderfully” and now, in 19–24, “God judges me righteously.” “God judges me righteously.” Three of those preceded the last three weeks, and now we come to this fourth and final section. I said at the turn of the year that we would spend four Sunday mornings looking at Psalm 139. But I want you to know that I’m going to turn to a couple of passages this morning, and if you are not ready to turn to them, then you must simply take my word for it and perhaps make a note and then go later on. Others of you perhaps prefer just to listen, and I understand. Well, I always encourage you to turn to the Bible, and some of you, I know, do. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred I count them my enemies. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent your enemies take your name in vain. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. Your eyes saw my unformed substance in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Wonderful are your works my soul knows it very well. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.įor you formed my inward parts you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me it is high I cannot attain it. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up you discern my thoughts from afar. And although we’re only looking at the closing stanza, I think, in light of the time that has elapsed, we should follow along as I read the whole psalm for us. Well, I invite you to turn with me to the Old Testament and to Psalm 139.
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