Some passages of the Bible cry out to be read in the King James version. With all its “thees” and “thous” and “thines” and “beseecheths”, the language of the KJV is often quite majestic. The words make for a wonderful exclamation or “thus saith the Lord!”

Psalm 139 is, in my humble opinion, one such passage that benefits from the richness of the 400+ years old English. In this psalm, David – a man who knew all too well how it felt to run for one’s life, hiding from murderous enemies – shows us much about God’s character. We see how He relates to us.

David testifies to the sovereignty of God. The Lord is omniscient (all-knowing). He even knows our thoughts before we can fully form them!

God is omnipresent. There’s no place we can go where he isn’t already there. (After Adam and Eve’s fateful choice to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and thus introduce sin to all humanity – and, by the way, thanks a lot for that – God was in the garden looking for Adam. Do you really think the Lord didn’t know where Adam’s shame led him to hide?)

God is omnipotent (all-powerful) and not only created each of us, but designed us each individually

Uniquely.

Per His specifications.

Not only did God lovingly create us, He protects us. He hems us in, as David described it, What a beautiful picture of God’s care for us. We are fully sewn in by Him on all sides.

David recognized God is our judge, and a compassionate one at that. David started out well, the young shepherd boy who took out Goliath with a slingshot and a smooth stone. The Lord had a plan for David. And, accordingly, David ascended to the role of King of Israel. Quite the achievement! But David had a weakness, and he gave into it. He would pay a hefty price for the whole sordid episode with Bathsheba. But David found forgiveness and restoration from God. And, as we see from the end of Psalm, David clearly realized and repented from his sin, and found the right path. As Paul so aptly sums it up: Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).

Psalm 139 reveals to us much about Who God is, and by comparison, who we are. And from it we can glean so much hope! We can fully trust in God, despite our situations. Despite our past. If God can turn around an adulterous, murderous king, do you suppose He can forgive and restore and take care of you as well?

CHAP. CXXXIX.

1 Dauid praiseth God for his all-seeing prouidence, 17 And for his infinite mercies. 19 He defieth the wicked. 23 Hee prayeth for sinceritie.

1 [To the chiefe Musician, A Psalme of Dauid.] O Lord, thou hast searched mee, and knowen me.

2 Thou knowest my downe sitting, and mine vprising: thou vnderstandest my thought afarre off.

3 Thou compassest my path, and my lying downe, and art acquainted with all my wayes.3

4 For there is not a worde in my tongue: but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind, and before: and laid thine hand vpon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderfull for me: it is high, I cannot attaine vnto it.

7 Whither shall I goe from thy spirit? or whither shall I flie from thy presence?

8 If I ascend vp into heauen, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.8

9 If I take the wings of the morning: and dwell in the vttermost parts of the Sea:

10 Euen there shall thy hand leade me: and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkenes shall couer me: euen the night shall bee light about me.11

12 Yea the darkenesse hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day: the darknes and the light are both alike to thee.12

13 For thou hast possessed my reines: thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe.

14 I will praise thee, for I am fearefully and wonderfully made, marueilous are thy works: and that my soule knoweth right well.14

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret: and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.15

16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being vnperfect, and in thy booke all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned: when as yet there was none of them.16

17 Howe precious also are thy thoughts vnto me, O God: how great is the summe of them?17

18 If I should count them, they are moe in number then the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speake against thee wickedly: and thine enemies take thy name in vaine.

21 Doe not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieued with those that rise vp against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and knowe my heart: trie mee, and knowe my thoughts:

24 And see if there bee any wicked way in me: and leade me in the way euerlasting.

from The 1611 King James Bible. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-139_Original-1611-KJV/