![]() ![]() You knit me together in my mother’s womb. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide meĮven the darkness will not be dark to you If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I go up to the heavens, you are there You discern my going out and my lying down (914–15)īefore exploring the meaning of this passage in detail, here is the whole psalm for your consideration from the NIV: The soaring language of praise and confession in the first three strophes abruptly ends in verse 18, only to be followed by more ominous and troubling language in the final strophe. The final strophe, however, shifts both in focus and tenor. The first three strophes praise God for his comprehensive knowledge of the psalmist, the fullness of his presence in the world, and his power as Creator. In the first strophe "you" serves as the subject of nearly all the verbs, while in the second strophe, "I" dominates throughout. ![]() The language adopted in the first two strophes underscores the dominance of the “I-Thou” relationship in the poem. Tucker and Davis offer an overview of these four movements: Keep reading for an insightful portrait of this powerful psalm.Īs the NIV’s translation suggests, Psalm 139 can be divided into four strophes: verses 1–6 7–12 13–18 and 19–24. This “I-Thou” relationship, and the accompanying pervasive, intimate presence of God, roots the psalmist's hope and comfort-as well as our own. This “I-Thou” relationship serves as the “unifying thread” throughout the psalm. 1, 2, 4, 6, 14, 23 ), thereby repeatedly reinforcing the “I-Thou” relationship between the psalmist and God. The verb yada‘, “to know,” occurs seven times in the poem (vv. In this poem, however, the psalmist’s hope rests entirely with the God who knows him, the God with whom he is in relationship. At the start, they offer a unifying thread that serves as an interpretive key:Īs in Psalm 138, the writer of Psalm 139 announces the threats that befall him and pleads for God’s action (Ps 139:19–22). Tucker and Grant coordinate both tasks in their commentary on Psalm 139. It helps bring both halves of the interpretive task together-the passage’s original meaning and contemporary application-explaining not only what the Psalms meant but also how they speak powerfully today. This Psalms commentary, which is part of the NIV Application Commentary Series, helps readers learn how the message of the Psalms can have the same powerful impact today that it did when they were first written. Grant provide insight into the meaning and composition of this magisterial psalm in their new commentary Psalms, Volume 2 (NIV Application Commentary). But what does the psalm mean and how are its four poetic movements connected? ![]() This psalm speaks of the pervasive presence of God, and his intimate knowledge of us, which offer us an outsized measure of hope and comfort in the face of adversity and trial. Psalm 139 is one of the more well-known and well-beloved psalms-and for good reason. For Students Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more.For Instructors and School Administrators Enhance your school’s traditional and online education programs by easily integrating online courses developed from the scholars and textbooks you trust.
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