Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Read it in contextPsalm 139 (A Psalm of David)
Start reading at Psalms 139:1 (Psalms 139:1 to Psalms 139:24).
The entire Psalm 139 is a coherent unit reflecting on God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence.
139:1O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
139:2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
139:3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
139:4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
139:5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
139:7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
139:8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
139:9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
139:10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
139:11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
139:12Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
139:13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
139:14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
139:15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
139:18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
139:20For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
139:21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
139:22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
139:23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
139:24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 139:1–139:24): The psalmist addresses the LORD concerning His complete knowledge and presence, asking to be searched and led. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The psalmist expresses profound awe and humility at the LORD's infinite and incomprehensible knowledge of him, acknowledging that such understanding is beyond his grasp.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His perfect omniscience and omnipresence, demonstrating that He knows every aspect of the psalmist's life, thoughts, words, and movements, even before they occur.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, specifically a psalm of praise and wisdom, reflecting on God's attributes.
When
When was it written? David wrote this psalm during his lifetime, likely between c. 1040-970 B.C. The collection of Psalms was assembled over a period from c. 1400 to 450 B.C.
When does the event take place? The events described are God's eternal attributes and His continuous, timeless knowledge of the psalmist, spanning from before birth through all of life.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described are spiritual and universal, concerning God's attributes and His relationship with the psalmist, not tied to a specific physical location.
Where was the author located? The specific location of the author when writing this psalm is not stated in the text or provided facts, but David lived and wrote primarily in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 139 (A Psalm of David) (Psalms 139:1 to Psalms 139:24).
Start reading at Psalms 139:1. The entire Psalm 139 is a coherent unit reflecting on God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalms 139:6 serves as the psalmist's overwhelmed response to the detailed description of God's intimate and exhaustive knowledge of him in verses 1-5, leading into the theme of God's omnipresence in verses 7-12. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The infinite knowledge and understanding attributed to the LORD in this psalm are divine attributes shared by Jesus Christ, who is God manifest in the flesh. As God, Christ knows all things, including the thoughts and intents of the heart, demonstrating His omniscience. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This verse reminds believers of God's perfect and inescapable knowledge of them, which can bring both comfort in His constant care and conviction regarding hidden sins, encouraging a life of integrity and trust in His sovereign wisdom. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 139
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
“Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart…”
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.