Search me, O God, and know my heart,.... He had searched him, and knew his heart thoroughly;try me, and know my thoughts; he had tried him, and knew every thought in him, Ps 139:1. This therefore is not said for the sake of God; who, though he is the trier of hearts, and the searcher of the reins, is indeed a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart at once, and knows immediately what is in man; and needs no testimony of him, nor to make use of any means in order to know him and what is within him: but David said this for his own sake, that God would search and make known to him what was in his heart, and try him by his word, as gold is tried in the fire; or by anything difficult and self-denying, as he tried Abraham; or by any afflictive providence; or in any way he thought fit to make him acquainted thoroughly with himself.
Bible Commentary
Psalms 139:23
Psalms 139:23
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain
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Psalms 139 — OverviewPsalms 139 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleSome of the Jewish doctors are of opinion that this is the most
excellent of all the psalms of David; and a very pious devout
meditation it is upon the doctrine of God's omniscience, which we
should therefore…Psalms 139 — OverviewPsalms 139 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePsalms 139:1, David praises God for his all-seeing providence; Psalms 139:17, and for his infinite mercies; Psalms 139:19, He defies the wicked; Psalms 139:23, He prays for sincerity. This Psalm is supposed to have been…Psalms 139 — OverviewPsalms 139 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. This psalm was written by David, when he lay under the reproach and calumnies of men, who laid false things to his charge; things he was not conscious of either in the time of…Psalms 139:1-24Psalms 139:1-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION
A song of praise to God for his omniscience, his omnipresence, and his marvelous powers, ending with a prayer for the destruction of the wicked, and for the purifying from evil of the psalmist's own heart.…Psalms 139:1-24Psalms 139:1-24 · The Pulpit CommentaryLord, thou knowest altogether.
This psalm, one of the most sublime of them all, is of unknown authorship. It seems to be the composition of some saint of God who lived after the Captivity. If so, what proof it gives of…Psalms 139:17-24Psalms 139:17-24 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere the psalmist makes application of the doctrine of God's
omniscience, divers ways.
I. He acknowledges, with wonder and thankfulness, the care God had
taken of him all his days, v. 17, 18. God, who knew him,…
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