Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Psalms Chapter 139
Overview
Psa 139:1, David praises God for his all-seeing providence; Psa 139:17, and for his infinite mercies; Psa 139:19, He defies the wicked; Psa 139:23, He prays for sincerity.
This Psalm is supposed to have been composed by David when made king of Israel; though some think it was written by him when accused of traitorous designs against Saul. It is a most sublime ode on the wisdom, knowledge, presence, and justice of God. the sentiments are grand, the style highly elevated, and the images various, beautiful, and impressive.
thou hast: Psa 139:23, Psa 11:4, Psa 11:5, Psa 17:3, Psa 44:21; Kg1 8:39; Ch1 28:9; Jer 12:3, Jer 17:9, Jer 17:10; Joh 21:17; Heb 4:13; Rev 2:18, Rev 2:23
knowest: Psa 56:8; Gen 16:13; Kg2 6:12, Kg2 19:27; Pro 15:3; Isa 37:28; Zac 4:10
understandest: Psa 94:11; Mat 9:4; Luk 9:47; Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25; Co1 4:5
afar off: Eze 38:10, Eze 38:11, Eze 38:17
compassest: or, winnowest, Job 13:26, Job 13:27, Job 14:16, Job 14:17, Job 31:4; Mat 3:12
my path: Psa 139:18, Psa 121:3-8; Gen 28:10-17; Sa2 8:14, Sa2 11:2-5, Sa2 11:27
and art acquainted: Sa2 12:9-12; Pro 5:20, Pro 5:21; Ecc 12:14; Isa 29:15; Jer 23:24; Joh 6:70, Joh 6:71, Joh 13:2, Joh 13:21; Act 5:3, Act 5:4
there is not: Psa 19:14; Job 8:2, Job 38:2, Job 42:3, Job 42:6-8; Zep 1:12; Mal 3:13-16; Mat 12:35-37; Jam 1:26, Jam 3:2-10
thou knowest: Psa 50:19-21; Jer 29:23; Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13
beset me: Deu 33:27; Job 23:8, Job 23:9
knowledge: Psa 40:5, Psa 13:1; Job 11:7-9, Job 26:14, Job 42:3; Pro 30:2-4; Rom 11:33
Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24; Jon 1:3, Jon 1:10; Act 5:9
I ascend: Eze 28:12-17; Amo 9:2-4; Oba 1:4
in hell: Job 26:6, Job 34:21, Job 34:22; Pro 15:11; Jon 2:2
If I take: Light has been proved, by many experiments, to travel at the astonishing rate of 194,188 miles in one second of time; and comes from the sun to the earth, a distance of 95,513,794 miles in 8 minutes and nearly 12 seconds! But, could I even fly upon the wings or rays of the morning light, which diffuses itself with such velocity over the globe from east to west, instead of being beyond Thy reach, or by this sudden transition be able to escape Thy notice, Thy arm could still at pleasure prevent or arrest my progress, and I should still be encircled with the immensity of Thy essence. The sentiment in this noble passage is remarkably striking and the description truly sublime.
the wings: Psa 18:10, Psa 19:6; Mal 4:2
dwell: Psa 74:16, Psa 74:17; Isa 24:14-16
Psa 63:8, Psa 73:23, Psa 143:9, Psa 143:10; Isa 41:13
Surely: Psa 10:11-13, Psa 94:7; Job 22:12-14; Isa 29:15; Jer 23:24
even the night: Job 12:22
the darkness: Exo 14:20, Exo 20:21; Job 26:6, Job 34:22; Dan 2:22; Heb 4:13
hideth not: Heb. darkeneth not
the darkness: etc. Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light
For thou: Job 10:9-12
covered me: Psa 22:9, Psa 22:10, Psa 71:6; Job 31:15; Isa 44:2, Isa 46:3; Jer 1:5
for I am fearfully: Gen 1:26, Gen 1:27
marvellous: Psa 92:4, Psa 92:5, Psa 104:24, Psa 111:2; Job 5:9; Rev 15:3
right well: Heb. greatly
substance: or, strength, or body
when I: Psa 139:13; Job 10:9-11; Exo 11:5
in the lowest: Psa 63:9; Eph 4:9
in thy book: Psa 56:8; Mal 3:16; Rev 20:12
all my members: Heb. all of them
which in continuance were fashioned: or, what days they should be fashioned
precious: Psa 40:5; Pro 8:31; Isa 55:8, Isa 55:9; Jer 29:11; Eph 3:9, Eph 3:10
how great: Psa 31:19, Psa 36:7
they are more: Psa 40:12
when I awake: Psa 139:3, Psa 3:5, Psa 16:8-11, Psa 17:15, Psa 63:6, Psa 63:7; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2; Th1 5:10
Surely: Psa 5:6, Psa 9:17, Psa 55:23, Psa 64:7, Psa 94:23; Isa 11:4
depart from: Psa 6:8, Psa 119:115; Mat 7:23, Mat 25:41; Co2 6:17
for they speak: Psa 73:8, Psa 73:9, Psa 74:18, Psa 74:22, Psa 74:23; Job 21:14, Job 21:15; Isa 37:23, Isa 37:28, Isa 37:29; Jde 1:15; Rev 13:6
Do not I: Psa 15:4, Psa 31:6; Ch2 19:2; Rev 2:2, Rev 2:6
and am not: Psa 119:136, Psa 119:158; Jer 13:17; Mar 3:5; Luk 19:41; Rom 9:1-3
hate them: Psa 101:3-8; Luk 14:26
Search me: Psa 139:1, Psa 26:2
know: Deu 8:2, Deu 8:16; Job 31:6; Pro 17:3; Zac 13:9; Mal 3:2, Mal 3:3; Pe1 1:7
And see: Psa 7:3, Psa 7:4, Psa 17:3; Pro 28:26; Jer 17:9, Jer 17:10
wicked way: Heb. way of pain, or grief, Heb 12:15, Heb 12:16
and lead: Psa 5:8, Psa 25:8, Psa 25:9, Psa 119:1, Psa 119:32, Psa 143:8, Psa 143:10