INTRODUCTION: This is a psalm of David. Although we are not told of the circumstances in which it was written, it certainly matches David’s emotions in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17. In these chapters, David determines to build God a house—the temple. God does not allow David to build the house but passes this honor to David’s son. However, God promises a house—a dynastic reigning line—to David. David’s reaction in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27 [16] And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? [17] And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O LORD God. [18] What can David speak more to thee for the honour of thy servant? for thou knowest thy servant. [19] O LORD, for thy servant's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. [20] O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. [21] And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt? [22] For thy people Israel didst thou make thine own people for ever; and thou, LORD, becamest their God. [23] Therefore now, LORD, let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house be established for ever, and do as thou hast said. [24] Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee. [25] For thou, O my God, hast told thy servant that thou wilt build him an house: therefore thy servant hath found in his heart to pray before thee. [26] And now, LORD, thou art God, and hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: [27] Now therefore let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may be before thee for ever: for thou blessest, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.
See All... matches the tone of this psalm. Notice especially Psalm 139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
See All... (“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”) and Psalm 139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
See All... (“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!’).

1. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (Psalm 139:1-6 [1] O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. [5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
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1. The Fact of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:1O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
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1. “Thou hast searched me” (Psalm 44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
   See All...; Hebrews 4:12-13 [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
   See All...).
2. “And known me” (Jeremiah 17:9-10 [9] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? [10] I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
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2. The Content of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:2-4 [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
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1. Our daily close and beginning - “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising” (Psalm 139:2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
   See All...a). Note: This is another evidence of God’s design for a day being evening and morning (Genesis 1:5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
   See All...). Gentiles would say “uprising and downsitting,” but a Jewish man would say “downsitting and uprising.”
2. Our distant thoughts - “thou understandest my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
   See All...b).
3. Our daily walk - “Thou compassest my path and my lying down” (Psalm 139:3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
   See All...a).
4. Our habitual ways - “and art acquainted with all my ways” (Psalm 139:3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
   See All...b)
5. Our unspoken words – “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether” (Psalm 139:4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
   See All...; Psalm 38:9Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
   See All...; Matthew 6:8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
   See All...).
3. The Extent of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:5-6 [5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
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1. Our surroundings (Psalm 139:5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
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1. “Thou hast beset me behind.”
2. Thou hast beset me before.
3. Thou hast “laid thine hand upon me.”
2. The greatness of His knowledge (Psalm 139:6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
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1. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (Psalm 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
   See All...).
2. “It is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Job 26:14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
   See All...; Job 42:3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
   See All...; Romans 11:33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
   See All...).
2. THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Psalm 139:7-12 [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. [9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; [10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
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1. The Problem of God’s Presence (Psalm 139:7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
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1. Not that God leaves us (Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
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2. But that we leave Him
1. We roam – “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?”
2. We run – “whither shall I flee from thy presence?”
2. The Possibilities of God’s Presence (Psalm 139:8-12 [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. [9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; [10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
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1. Dominion – “If I ascend up into heaven” (Psalm 139:8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
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1. A picture of times of blessing and elevation in this world
2. We tend to think we do not need God and these times become a great temptation (1 Timothy 3:6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
   See All...).
3. Paul had to learn to abound and be full (Philippians 4:11-13
   See All...).
4. The example of David
1. His elevation (2 Samuel 7:8-11 [8] Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: [9] And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. [10] Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, [11] And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
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2. His temptation (2 Samuel 11:1-2 [1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. [2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
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3. God’s presence (2 Samuel 12:7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
   See All..., 13)
2. Depth – “If I make my bed in hell” (Psalm 139:8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
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1. A picture of times of despair and trouble
2. The example of Joseph
1. His troubles (Psalm 105:17-18 [17] He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: [18] Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
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2. God’s presence (Psalm 105:19Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
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3. His elevation (Psalm 105:20-21 [20] The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. [21] He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
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3. Distance – “If I take the wings of the morning” (Psalm 139:9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
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1. A picture of times when we get away from God
2. The example of Jonah
1. His flight from God (Jonah 1:1-3 [1] Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, [2] Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. [3] But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
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2. His descent (Jonah 1:4-5 [4] But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. [5] Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
   See All..., 15-17)
3. God’s presence (Jonah 2:1Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
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4. Darkness – “If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me” (Psalm 139:11-12 [11] If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
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1. A picture of times when men feel hidden from God
2. The example of Mephibosheth
1. His condition (2 Samuel 9:3And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
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2. God’s presence (2 Samuel 9:1And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
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3. His provision (2 Samuel 9:9-10 [9] Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. [10] Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
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3. The Provision of God’s Presence (Psalm 139:10-12 [10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
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1. To lead us (Psalm 139:10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
   See All...) – “Even there shall thy hand lead me.”
2. To lift us (Psalm 139:10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
   See All...) – “thy right hand shall hold me.”
3. To lighten us (Psalm 139:11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
   See All...) – “even the night shall be light about me.”
3. THE WISDOM OF GOD (Psalm 139:13-16 [13] For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. [15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. [16] Thine 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.
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1. In the Making of Man (Psalm 139:13-14 [13] For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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1. The possessing of his reins (Psalm 139:13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
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1. The reins are mentioned 15 times in the Bible. Literally, the reins refer to the kidneys and that is the older meaning of the word.
2. In scripture, the reins are mentioned with the heart seven times (Psalm 7:9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
   See All...; Psalm 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
   See All...; Psalm 73:21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
   See All...; Jeremiah 11:20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
   See All...; Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
   See All...; Jeremiah 20:12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
   See All...; Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
   See All...).
3. The reins refer to the seat of the emotions and affections of man.
1. They instruct in the night seasons (Psalm 16:7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
   See All...).
2. We can be pricked in our reins (Psalm 73:21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
   See All...).
3. Our reins rejoice (Proverbs 23:16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
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4. We can say with our mouth what is not in our reins (Jeremiah 12:2Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.
   See All...).
4. The reins are said to be tried by the Lord five times (Psalm 7:9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
   See All...; Psalm 26:2Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
   See All...; Jeremiah 11:20But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.
   See All...; Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
   See All...; Jeremiah 20:12But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause.
   See All...). He also searches the reins (Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
   See All...). Therefore, when we are judged by the Lord, we are judged to a great degree by what is in our reins.
2. The covering in the womb (Psalm 139:13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
   See All...; Psalm 22:10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
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3. The greatness of God’s creation of man (Psalm 139:14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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1. Fearfully made
2. Wonderfully made
3. Marvelously made
4. The acknowledgement of the psalmist (Psalm 139:14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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1. To praise the Lord
2. To acknowledge His greatness – “that my soul knoweth right well”
2. In the Molding of Man’s Substance (Psalm 139:15-16 [15] My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. [16] Thine 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.
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1. Not hid from God (Psalm 139:15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
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1. My substance was not hid from thee.
2. When I was made in secret
3. When wrought in the lowest parts of the earth
2. Seen in imperfection (Psalm 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.
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3. His members written in a book (Psalm 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.
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1. Which were fashioned
2. When there were none of them
4. THE GOODNESS OF GOD (Psalm 139:17-18 [17] How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! [18] If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
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1. His Great Thoughts Toward Man (Psalm 139:17-18 [17] How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! [18] If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
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1. How precious are thy thoughts (Psalm 139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
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2. How great is the sum of them (Psalm 139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
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3. More in number than the sand (Psalm 139:18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
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2. His Continual Thoughts Toward Man (Psalm 139:18If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
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1. Subject of thoughts in the night (Psalm 16:7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
   See All...; Psalm 17:3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
   See All...; Psalm 42:8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
   See All...; Psalm 63:6When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
   See All...; Psalm 119:55I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
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2. But still just as real in the morning (Psalm 77:6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
   See All...) – “I am still with thee.”
5. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Psalm 139:19-22 [19] Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. [20] For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. [21] Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? [22] I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
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1. His Judgment Against Wicked Men (Psalm 139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
   See All...a, 20)
1. Thou will slay the wicked (Psalm 139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
   See All...a).
2. The wicked speak against God (Psalm 139:20For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
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2. His Support by the Psalmist (Psalm 139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
   See All...b, 21-22)
1. His shunning of bloody men (Psalm 139:19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
   See All...b)
2. His hatred of those who hate God (Psalm 139:21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
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3. His grief with those who rise up against God (Psalm 139:21Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
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4. His hatred of them with perfect hatred (Psalm 139:22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
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5. He counts them as enemies (Psalm 139:22I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
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6. THE SEARCHING OF GOD (Psalm 139:23-24 [23] Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: [24] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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1. The Prayer of the Psalmist (Psalm 139:23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
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1. Search me, and know my heart.
2. Try me, and know my thoughts.
2. The Purpose of the Prayer (Psalm 139:24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
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1. Find any wicked way (Psalm 7:3-4 [3] O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; [4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
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2. Lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 5:8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
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CONCLUSION: God knows everything about us and we can never escape His presence or His all-seeing eye. However, His works are marvelous and His thoughts toward us are precious. We must trust in Him and pray that He will reveal to us anything that separates us from Him. His knowledge and presence comfort and strengthen us.