A “Precious Thoughts of God”

QScripture – Psalm 139

Use - Psalms 139 A, B, C & D

Introduction

Theme Verses Psalm 139:17,18

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

This is a very personal Psalm! in verses 1-6 we already see the personal pronouns “me”, “my” & “I” 13 times!

The title assigns David as the author.

There is much praise and much prayer throughout the Psalm, but I believe primarily we see a man discovering, describing and examining his relationship to God. In doing so, we find him describing much about the God who he worships!

He is writing / singing about his personal experience with God and what he had learned about this very personal God!

Paul no doubt had some of the same experiences described here as he writes in

Romans 11:33 (ESV)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

This very personal psalm (notice the pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’, and ‘mine’) is attributed to David. It has been called ‘the crown of the psalms’. It is certainly safe to say it is one of the best loved of all the psalms and of all Scripture passages.

The whole psalm is consists of praise (vv. 1–18) and petitions (vv. 19–24). The outline is fairly simple with four parts each of them having 6 verses.

My outline is very basic focusing on the Nature of God and how the Psalmist responds to his interaction with his Sovereign LORD. In the OT terminology the Psalmist simply uses the term GOD, however as NT Believers, we know that our Triune God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our experience would normally be described as our walk with Jesus!

I believe the Theme verses of the Psalm can be found in verses 17,18

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

I hope as we meditate and reflect on this Psalm we too may experience, as the psalmist did, some of these —

“Precious Thoughts of God”

I. God’s Omniscience

What does the theological term mean?

Very simply it means --

God knows all things!

Nothing can be hid from God Verses 1-6

QUOTE From James Montgomery Boice

“Somewhere in J. I. Packer’s writings there is a reference to Puritan theology as theology of that “older, better, wiser and more practical sort.” That applies to the Puritans, but it applies even more to Psalm 139. Here is theology that is even older, even better, even wiser, and even more practical. It is theology of the very best sort.

Sometimes we speak of “doing theology” today, and we often talk about the conflict between the head and the heart, saying that either one alone is inadequate. A theology that is all of the head is cold, dry, barren, and of little practical value. A theology that is all heart may be warm, comforting, and practical, but it will lack substance, and because it does it will be subject to every theological fad that comes along and will not hold up in hard times. Psalm 139 has both head and heart. It is strongly theological, dealing with such important doctrines as God’s omniscience (it is probably the weightiest part of the Bible for discussing God’s omniscience), omnipresence, and omnipotence; but it is also wonderfully personal, because it speaks of these attributes of God in ways that impact the psalmist and ourselves.”

Psalms, Volume 3: (Psalms 107–150): An Expositional Commentary (Psalm 139: A Hymn to the All-Knowing God: Part 1)

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The psalmist is awed by the revelation of who God is. Listen to how he describes his relationship with GOD and how God knows every thing about him (v. 1-6)

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

Some QUOTES from MATTHEW HENRY re/ - Verses 1–6

God has perfect knowledge of us, and all our thoughts and actions are open before him…

That God knows all things, is omniscient; that he is every where, is omnipresent; are truths acknowledged by all…

God takes strict notice of every step we take, every right step and every by step. He knows what rule we walk by, what end we walk toward, what company we walk with…

Wherever we are, we are under the eye and hand of God. We cannot by searching find how God searches us out; nor do we know how we are known. Such thoughts should restrain us from sin.

Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ps 139:1). Logos Research Systems.

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The Psalmist reflects on many things that God KNOWS...

- when I sit down

- when I rise up

- my thoughts from afar

- my path and my lying down

- Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it

More like Omnipresence and Omnipotent

- You hem me in, behind and before

- lay your hand upon me

He is not frightened by this intimate relationship… He is filled with wonder and awe… God is in a very personal relationship with him … what an amazing thing, God knows me and is with me even me...

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

II. God’s Omnipresence

God is everywhere present!

Verses 7-12

What does the theological term mean?

Very simply it means --

God is present everywhere! Verses 1-6

There is NO Hiding Place where I can escape from the presence of God.

Psalm 139:7–12 (ESV)

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

The Psalmist reflects on where one might try to hide from God’s PRESENCE

- If I ascend to heaven

- If I make my bed in Sheol - (the grave)

- If I take the wings of the morning

- the uttermost parts of the sea

- the darkness

- the ... night

QUOTE From James Montgomery Boice

Isn’t it a natural reaction to want to escape God’s all-seeing, all-knowing presence, and actually try to? Yes, and that is probably why David’s thoughts turned in verses 7–12 to God’s omnipresence.

Some commentators see in these verses a desire of David to escape God’s gaze. Although that might be a natural response to reflecting on God’s omniscience, as I suggested, it is not at all what David is saying. In a sense, David is still meditating on God’s omniscience, noting that the reason why God sees everything and knows everything is that he is everywhere to see and know it. In fact, since the psalmist is making these points of theology personal, what impresses him is that God will always be wherever he goes. Try as he might, he would never be able to escape him. But he is not fearing that or dreading it; he is comforted by the thought.

Psalms, Volume 3: (Psalms 107–150): An Expositional Commentary (Praise to God for His Omnipresence)

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QUOTE MATTHEW HENRY - Verses 7–16

We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not desire to go from the Lord. Whither can I go? In the most distant corners of the world, in heaven, or in hell, I cannot go out of thy reach. No veil can hide us from God; not the thickest darkness. No disguise can save any person or action from being seen in the true light by him. Secret haunts of sin are as open before God as the most open villanies. On the other hand, the believer cannot be removed from the supporting, comforting presence of his Almighty Friend. Should the persecutor take his life, his soul will the sooner ascend to heaven. The grave cannot separate his body from the love of his Saviour, who will raise it a glorious body. No outward circumstances can separate him from his Lord. While in the path of duty, he may be happy in any situation, by the exercise of faith, hope, and prayer.

Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ps 139:7). Logos Research Systems.

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III. Gods Omnipotence

What does the theological term mean?

Very simply it means --

God has all power! He creates life, He determines the time of birth, death and all events. Verses 13-16

There is NOTHING beyond the

Verses 13-16

Trying to escape the time of God - v. 13-18

The psalmist’s hatred to sin,and desire to be led aright. (v. 17-24) - (Omnipotence & Reaction, vv. 23,24)

Psalm 139:13–16 (ESV)

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

QUOTE MATTHEW HENRY - Verses 17–24

God’s counsels concerning us and our welfare are deep, such as cannot be known. We cannot think how many mercies we have received from him. It would help to keep us in the fear of the Lord all the day long, if, when we wake in the morning, our first thoughts were of him: and how shall we admire and bless our God for his precious salvation, when we awake in the world of glory! Surely we ought not to use our members and senses, which are so curiously fashioned, as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. But our immortal and rational souls are a still more noble work and gift of God. Yet if it were not for his precious thoughts of love to us, our reason and our living for ever would, through our sins, prove the occasion of our eternal misery. How should we then delight to meditate on God’s love to sinners in Jesus Christ, the sum of which exceeds all reckoning! Sin is hated, and sinners lamented, by all who fear the Lord. Yet while we shun them we should pray for them; with God their conversion and salvation are possible. As the Lord knows us thoroughly, and we are strangers to ourselves, we should earnestly desire and pray to be searched and proved by his word and Spirit. if there be any wicked way in me, let me see it; and do thou root it out of me. The way of godliness is pleasing to God, and profitable to us; and will end in everlasting life. It is the good old way. All the saints desire to be kept and led in this way, that they may not miss it, turn out of it, or tire in it.

Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ps 139:17). Logos Research Systems.

IV. My Response

A sense of Wonder resulting in Precious thoughts about my God! Verses 17-22

The Psalmist’s Reaction - vv. 17,18

Awe and Wonder… -v. 19-24

(v. 17-24) -

Psalm 139:17–22 (ESV)

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. 19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! 20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? 22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

QUOTE MATTHEW HENRY - Verses 17–24

God’s counsels concerning us and our welfare are deep, such as cannot be known. We cannot think how many mercies we have received from him. It would help to keep us in the fear of the Lord all the day long, if, when we wake in the morning, our first thoughts were of him: and how shall we admire and bless our God for his precious salvation, when we awake in the world of glory! Surely we ought not to use our members and senses, which are so curiously fashioned, as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. But our immortal and rational souls are a still more noble work and gift of God. Yet if it were not for his precious thoughts of love to us, our reason and our living for ever would, through our sins, prove the occasion of our eternal misery. How should we then delight to meditate on God’s love to sinners in Jesus Christ, the sum of which exceeds all reckoning! Sin is hated, and sinners lamented, by all who fear the Lord. Yet while we shun them we should pray for them; with God their conversion and salvation are possible. As the Lord knows us thoroughly, and we are strangers to ourselves, we should earnestly desire and pray to be searched and proved by his word and Spirit. if there be any wicked way in me, let me see it; and do thou root it out of me. The way of godliness is pleasing to God, and profitable to us; and will end in everlasting life. It is the good old way. All the saints desire to be kept and led in this way, that they may not miss it, turn out of it, or tire in it.

Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ps 139:17). Logos Research Systems.

The Psalmist’s is in awe as he contemplates the wonders and magnitude of God’s majestic Sovereignty. He considers it a precious thing!

But he also is dismayed over how the wicked do not appreciate….

The Psalmist’s desire that God would deal with the wicked!

Those do not see the wonders of God’s majestic Sovereignty. God’s enemies are also the Psalmist’s enemies!

Conclusion

Verses 23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!