Good morning,
This week we begin a new series, Who is God? My goal is to pick a chapter of the Bible that speaks to the character of God. This week we look at Psalm 139.
Psalm 139
God is all knowing, ever present, all powerful, and just
God’s Justice (v17-24)
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Finally, David explores God’s justice. While David trusts God and celebrates His blessings, he is also affected by the sins of those who hate God. David sees God’s enemies as his enemies. As such, David prays for God to destroy those who are evil. David neither takes this responsibility on himself, nor asks for it. Rather, he pleads with God to deal with the wicked. At the same time, David recognizes that he is vulnerable to sin, and asks God to search his heart and mind, leading him in the right way (Psalm 39:17–24).
Psalm 139:17–24 emphasizes God’s justice. Prior sections of this psalm bore witness to God’s omniscience (Psalm 139:1–6), His omnipresence (Psalm 139:7–12), and His omnipotence (Psalm 139:13–16). David rejoices in God’s thoughts and nearness, but despises the wicked around him. He longs for God to slay them. He sees God’s enemies as his own enemies, but is acutely aware of the possibility that sin dwells in him. Therefore, he asks God to search him and lead him in the way everlasting.
Chapter Summary:
In this psalm David marvels at God’s amazing characteristics. God knows everything about him: where he goes, all David’s thoughts and everything about his conduct. The Lord knows what David will say even before David says it. There is no place David can go that God isn’t already present. David marvels at God’s creative work in the womb. He is thankful for God’s innumerable thoughts for him and for God’s presence day and night. Finally, David’s thoughts turn to the wicked. He considers them God’s enemies and his, and longs for God to slay them. David is disgusted by evil people because they rail against God and take His name in vain. He asks God to search his heart to see if any sin is there, and he asks God to lead him in the way everlasting.
(Accessed 5/19/2025 2:15:22 PM © Copyright 2002-2025 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission. www.BibleRef.com)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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