You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1
It seems my mother can sense trouble from a mile away. Once, after a rough day at school, I tried to mask my frustration hoping that no one would notice. “What’s the matter?” she asked. Then she added, “Before you tell me it’s nothing, remember I’m your mother. I gave birth to you, and I know you better than you know yourself.” My mom has consistently reminded me that her deep awareness of who I am helps her be there for me in the moments I need her most.
As believers in Jesus, we’re cared for by a God who knows us intimately. The psalmist David praised Him for His attentiveness to the lives of His children saying, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:1–2). Because God knows who we are—our every thought, desire, and action—there’s nowhere we can go where we’re outside the bounds of His abundant love and care (vv. 7–12). As David wrote, “If I settle on the far side of the sea even there your hand will guide me” (vv. 9–10). We can find comfort knowing that no matter where we are in life, when we call out to God in prayer, He’ll offer us the love, wisdom, and guidance we need.
1 You have searched me,f Lord,
and you knowg me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;h
you perceive my thoughtsi from afar.
3 You discern my going outj and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.k
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.l
5 You hem me inm behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,n
too loftyo for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I fleep from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens,q you are there;
if I make my bedr in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,s
your right handt will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be darku to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
INSIGHT
- When have you felt like no one else could understand how you were truly feeling?
- How does the reality of God’s presence help and encourage you during such times?
In Psalm 139:1–12, David wrote about two of God’s fundamental attributes. Verses 1–6 capture a picture of His omniscience, which simply means He knows everything. In verses 7–12, the psalmist reflected on His omnipresence—that God is everywhere. Later in the psalm, David spoke of God’s omnipotence when he described His unlimited power displayed in the creation of humanity (vv. 13–18). Intriguingly, these ideas are captured in a very personal way. Psalms are songs or prayers that express personal thoughts, emotions, and situations to God. David understood that He knew him personally and He was everywhere. Despite His unimaginable knowledge, God’s concern is still focused on humanity. That’s what Jesus referred to in Matthew 6:25–34 when He noted that God cares even for the birds, so He knows our needs and cares for us as well.
PRAYER
Loving God, many times I feel misunderstood and alone. Thank You for reminding me of Your presence in my life. I know You see me, hear me, and love me even when it seems like no one else does. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Psalm 139:1-12 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 11-13; James 1
