Daily Bible Reading

March 28, 2023

Psalm 139(GNT)

God’s Saving Word: Prayer

Introduction

 Psalm 139: The theme of this psalm is that God knows us completely. From the “heaven” to the “world of the dead,”—the two most distant places in the universe—there is nowhere we can go that is beyond the scope of God’s care. God is present from creation through death and knows all things.

Scripture Reading

God’s Complete Knowledge and Care

139 Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
You know everything I do;
    from far away you understand all my thoughts.
You see me, whether I am working or resting;
    you know all my actions.
Even before I speak,
    you already know what I will say.
You are all around me on every side;
    you protect me with your power.
Your knowledge of me is too deep;
    it is beyond my understanding.

Where could I go to escape from you?
    Where could I get away from your presence?
If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
    if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
If I flew away beyond the east
    or lived in the farthest place in the west,
10 you would be there to lead me,
    you would be there to help me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
    or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you,
    and the night is as bright as the day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You created every part of me;
    you put me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because you are to be feared;
    all you do is strange and wonderful.
    I know it with all my heart.
15 When my bones were being formed,
    carefully put together in my mother’s womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
    you knew that I was there—
16     you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
    had all been recorded in your book,
    before any of them ever began.
17 O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;
    how many of them there are!
18 If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand.
    When I awake, I am still with you.

19 O God, how I wish you would kill the wicked!
    How I wish violent people would leave me alone!
20 They say wicked things about you;
    they speak evil things against your name.
21 O Lord, how I hate those who hate you!
    How I despise those who rebel against you!
22 I hate them with a total hatred;
    I regard them as my enemies.

23 Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
    test me, and discover my thoughts.
24 Find out if there is any evil in me
    and guide me in the everlasting way.

Today’s Key Verse:  Psalm 139:23

Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.

Reflect

This psalm provides a reassuring sense of being known by God. God’s knowledge of us transcends temporal (earthly) limitations. Reread verse 7. What are your thoughts about these two questions posed by the psalm writer? How do you feel about being examined and known by God?

Pray

You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me. You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. Don’t let me follow evil ways, but guide me in the way of your everlasting love. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 141: An evening prayer.

Share Today's Daily Bible Reading With a Friend:

Daily Bible Reading Archive

Lectura diaria de la Biblia está también disponible en español

Downloads

Sign Up Now

To receive Daily Bible Reading in your inbox every morning.

Also receive Bible-reading tips, tools and resources.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.