lectionary.com

Pentecost Season · Proper 4 · Year B

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

You Have Searched Me and Known Me

May 30, 2027

Young Mother Gazing at Her Child, William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Young Mother Gazing at Her Child, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1871Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A mother sitting with the child asleep across her, looking down and not at the painter.For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.William-Adolphe BouguereauBouguereau, who painted mothers and children for forty years and lost several of his own.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 2:23-3:6Mk 2:23-3:6
Epistle2 Cor. 4:5-122 Cor 4:5-12
Old Testament1 Sam. 3:1-10, (11-20)1 Sm 3:1-10, (11-20)Alt. OTDeut. 5:12-15Dt 5:12-15
PsalterPs. 139:1-6, 13-18Ps 139:1-6, 13-18Alt. PsalmPs. 81:1-10Ps 81:1-10

Overview & Insights

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” (Psalm 139:1)

Psalm 139 is perhaps the most intimate of psalms. It displays a striking awareness of God’s interest in individuals. Understanding this psalm as a whole is key to its interpretation. At first it appears to be a meditation on God’s omniscience (vv. 1–6), omnipresence (vv. 7–12), and omnipotence (vv. 13–15). But the sudden shift from sublime wonder at God’s determined interest in the speaker to a denunciation of “the wicked” (vv. 19–22) sounds like an impulsive change of subject. Why are the wicked brought up in a psalm that to this point has made pleasant reading? Some commentators believe that interpretation of the psalm must begin with these verses. Its occasion would thus lie in the speaker’s conflict with the wicked: they have accused him falsely and he now seeks vindication from God. In this view, Psalm 139 is to be interpreted in light of others that are said to reflect more clearly a situation of false accusation (Pss. 7 and 17).

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

Commentary

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18Ps 139:1-6, 13-18 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary commentary on God's all-knowing, all-present care and how the psalmist moves from terror to secure trust.

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18Ps 139:1-6, 13-18 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed commentary on being fully known and fearfully, wonderfully made by the God who is inescapably present.

Psalm 139Ps 139 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on God's omniscience, omnipresence, and intimate forming of the psalmist.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 139 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryPs 139 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English translation and linked Jewish commentary for word-level study.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 139, patristic commentaryPs 139, patristic commentary Catena

A verse-linked catena of early church interpretation of Psalm 139.

Questions preachers ask

What is the wonder of Psalm 139?

God knows the psalmist completely and is present everywhere he could flee; fearfully and wonderfully made, he asks God to search his heart and lead him in the way everlasting.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Mark 2:23-3:6
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.