Our children and I are currently working on memorizing Psalm 139. Many of us know the part about God forming us, knowing us before we were born. It is a great Scripture for Life. It is also a great teacher of the principle of Design, giving us great comfort in knowing God has Designed each of us just as we are. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are [His] works.” But this Psalm also teaches us much about God Himself. It begins by declaring God’s Omniscience, especially about me, and His Omnipresence, especially in relation to me. It begins by declaring God has searched and known me. It ends asking God to search me and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts. Why? To see if there is any wicked thing in me, to lead me in the way everlasting. A declaration again of God’s Omniscience, and also the fact that even we don’t even know our own hearts. Only God knows us, both outside and in.
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me . Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but , lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there . If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. …Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24