INTRODUCTION:  This is a psalm of David. Although we are not told when he wrote it, it certainly matches his emotions of 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 matches the tone of Psalm 139. Notice especially Psalm 139:6 (“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”) and Psalm 139:17 (“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. The Fact of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:1)
1. He has searched us (Psalm 44:21; Hebrews 4:12-13)
2. He has known us (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
2. The Content of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:2-4)
1. Our daily start and close (Psalm 139:2a)
2. Our distant thoughts (Psalm 139:2b)
3. Our daily walk (Psalm 139:3a)
4. Our habitual ways (Psalm 139:3b)
5. Our considered words (Psalm 139:4)
3. The Extent of God’s Knowledge (Psalm 139:5-6)
1. Our surroundings (Psalm 139:5)
1. Behind us
2. Before us
3. Upon us
2. The greatness of His knowledge (Psalm 139:6)
1. Too wonderful (Psalm 40:5)
2. Unattainable (Job 26:14; Job 42:3; Romans 11:33)
2. THE PRESENCE OF GOD (Psalm 139:7-12)
1. The Problem of God’s Presence (Psalm 139:7)
1. Not that God leaves us (Joshua 1:9)
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)
1. Dominion (Psalm 139:8)
1. If I ascend up into heaven (Psalm 139:8)
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 3:6)
3. Paul had to learn to abound and be full (Philippians 4:11-13)
4. The example of David
1. His elevation (2 Samuel 7:8-11)
2. His elevation (2 Samuel 7:8-11)
3. God’s presence (2 Samuel 12:7, 13)
2. Depth (Psalm 139:8)
1. If I make my bed in hell (Psalm 139:8)
2. A picture of times of despair and trouble
3. The example of Joseph
1. His troubles (Psalm 105:17-18)
2. God’s presence (Psalm 105:19)
3. His elevation (Psalm 105:20-21)
3. Distance (Psalm 139:9)
1. If I take the wings of the morning (Psalm 139:9)
2. A picture of times when we get away from God
3. The example of Jonah
1. His flight from God (Jonah 1:1-3)
2. His descent (Jonah 1:4-5, 15-17)
3. God’s presence (Jonah 2:1, 10)
4. Darkness (v.11-12)
1. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me
2. A picture of times when men feel hidden from God
3. The example of Mephibosheth
1. His condition (2 Samuel 9:3, 8)
2. God’s presence (2 Samuel 9:1, 7)
3. His provision (2 Samuel 9:9-10)
3. The Provision of God’s Presence (Psalm 139:10-12)
1. To lead us (Psalm 139:10) – “Even there shall thy hand lead me”
2. To lift us (Psalm 139:10) – “thy right hand shall hold me”
3. To lighten us (Psalm 139:11) – “even the night shall be light about me”
3. THE WISDOM OF GOD (Psalm 139:13-16)
1. In the Making of Man (Psalm 139:13-14)
1. The possessing of his reins (Psalm 139:13)
1. The reins are mentioned 15 times in the Bible
2. Literally, the reins refer to the kidneys and that is the older meaning of the word
3. In scripture, the reins are mentioned with the heart seven (7) times (Psalm 7:9; Psalm 26:2; Psalm 73:21; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12; Revelation 2:23)
4. The reins evidently refer to the seat of the deepest emotions and affections of man
1. They instruct in the night seasons (Psalm 16:7)
2. We can be pricked in our reins (Psalm 73:21)
3. Our reins rejoice (Proverbs 23:16)
4. We can say with our mouth what is not in our reins (Jeremiah 12:2)
5. The reins are said to be tried by the Lord five (5) times (Psalm 7:9; Psalm 26:2; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12). He also searches the reins (Revelation 2:23). 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 139:13; Psalm 22:10)
3. The greatness of God’s creation of man (Psalm 139:14)
1. Fearfully made
2. Wonderfully made
3. Marvelously made
4. The acknowledgement of the psalmist (Psalm 139:14)
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)
1. Not hid from God (Psalm 139:15)
1. When made in secret
2. When wrought in the lowest parts
2. Seen in imperfection (Psalm 139:16)
3. His members written in a book (Psalm 139:16)
1. Which were fashioned
2. When there were none of them
4. THE GOODNESS OF GOD (Psalm 139:17-18)
1. How Precious (Psalm 139:17)
2. How Great (Psalm 139:17-18)
1. How great is the sum (Psalm 139:17)
2. More in number than the sand (Psalm 139:18)
3. How Real (Psalm 139:18)
1. Subject of thoughts in the night (Psalm 16:7; Psalm 17:3; Psalm 42:8; Psalm 63:6; Psalm 119:55)
2. But still just as real in the morning (Psalm 77:6) – “I am still with thee”
5. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD (Psalm 139:19-22)
1. His Judgment Against Wicked Men (Psalm 139:19-20)
2. His Support by the Psalmist (Psalm 139:21-22)
1. His hatred of those who hate God (Psalm 139:21)
2. His grief with those who rise up against God (Psalm 139:21)
3. His hatred of them with perfect hatred (Psalm 139:22)
6. THE SEARCHING OF GOD (Psalm 139:23-24)
1. The Prayer of the Psalmist (Psalm 139:23)
1. Search me
2. Know my heart
3. Try me
4. Know my thoughts
2. The Purpose of the Prayer (Psalm 139:24)
1. Find any wicked way (Psalm 7:3-4)
2. Lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 5:8)

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.

MEMORY VERSES: Psalm 139:4, 7, 14, 17, 23, 24