Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 139

1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • To the chief Musician H5329 (נָצַח) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
  • A Psalm H4210 (מִזְמוֹר) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
  • of David H1732 (דָּוִד) — David, the youngest son of Jesse
  • O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • thou hast searched H2713 (חָקַר) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
  • me, and known H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • my downsitting H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
  • and mine uprising H6965 (קוּם) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
  • thou understandest H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
  • my thought H7454 (רֵעַ) — a thought (as association of ideas)
  • afar off H7350 (רָחוֹק) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou compassest H2219 (זָרָה) — to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
  • my path H734 (אֹרַח) — a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan
  • and my lying down H7252 (רֶבַע) — prostration (for sleep)
  • and art acquainted H5532 (סָכַן) — to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, to cherish, be customary
  • all my ways H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • not a word H4405 (מִלָּה) — a word; collectively, a discourse; figuratively, a topic
  • in my tongue H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
  • lo, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • thou knowest H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou hast beset H6696 (צוּר) — to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)
  • me behind H268 (אָחוֹר) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West
  • and before H6924 (קֶדֶם) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
  • and laid H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
  • thine hand H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
  • too wonderful H6383 (פִּלְאִי) — remarkable
  • for me; it is high H7682 (שָׂגַב) — to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively
  • I cannot H3201 (יָכֹל) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 22:13 · Jeremiah 23:23 · Jeremiah 23:24 · Jonah 1:3 · Jonah 1:10 · Acts 5:9
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Whither shall I go H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
  • from thy spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
  • or whither shall I flee H1272 (בָּרַח) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly
  • from thy presence H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • If I ascend up H5266 (נָסַק) — to go up
  • into heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • there: if I make my bed H3331 (יַצַע) — to strew as a surface
  • in hell H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 18:10 · Psalms 19:6 · Psalms 74:16 · Isaiah 24:14 · Malachi 4:2
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I take H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • the wings H3671 (כָּנָף) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle
  • of the morning H7837 (שַׁחַר) — dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)
  • dwell H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
  • in the uttermost parts H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
  • of the sea H3220 (יָם) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin…

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 23:3 · Psalms 63:8 · Psalms 73:23 · Psalms 143:9 · Isaiah 41:13 · Amos 9:3
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Even there shall thy hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
  • lead H5148 (נָחָה) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
  • me, and thy right hand H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
  • shall hold H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • If I say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • Surely the darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
  • shall cover H7779 (שׁוּף) — properly, to gape, i.e. snap at; figuratively, to overwhelm
  • me; even the night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
  • shall be light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
  • about me H1157 (בְּעַד) — in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.

12 Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Exodus 14:20 · Exodus 20:21 · Job 26:6 · Job 34:22 · Daniel 2:22 · Hebrews 4:13
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Yea, the darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
  • hideth H2821 (חָשַׁךְ) — to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
  • not from thee; but the night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
  • shineth H215 (אוֹר) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
  • as the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • the darkness H2825 (חֲשֵׁכָה) — darkness; figuratively, misery
  • and the light H219 (אוֹרָה) — luminousness, i.e. (figuratively) prosperity; also a plant (as being bright)

13 For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For thou hast possessed H7069 (קָנָה) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
  • my reins H3629 (כִּלְיָה) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
  • thou hast covered H5526 (סָכַךְ) — properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect
  • me in my mother’s H517 (אֵם) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
  • womb H990 (בֶּטֶן) — the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

14 I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I will praise H3034 (יָדָה) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
  • thee; for I am fearfully H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
  • wonderfully made H6395 (פָּלָה) — to distinguish (literally or figuratively)
  • marvellous H6381 (פָּלָא) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
  • thy works H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
  • my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
  • knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • right well H3966 (מְאֹד) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlativ…

15 My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My substance H6108 (עֹצֶם) — power; hence, body
  • was not hid H3582 (כָּחַד) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy
  • from thee, when I was made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
  • in secret H5643 (סֵתֶר) — a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense)
  • curiously wrought H7551 (רָקַם) — to variegate color, i.e. embroider; by implication, to fabricate
  • in the lowest parts H8482 (תַּחְתִּי) — lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)
  • of the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 56:8 · Malachi 3:16 · Revelation 20:12
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • did see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • my substance, yet being unperfect H1564 (גֹּלֶם) — a wrapped (and unformed mass, i.e. as the embryo)
  • and in thy book H5612 (סֵפֶר) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
  • were written H3789 (כָּתַב) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
  • in continuance H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • were fashioned H3335 (יָצַר) — to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution)
  • none H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • How precious H3365 (יָקַר) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
  • also are thy thoughts H7454 (רֵעַ) — a thought (as association of ideas)
  • unto me, O God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • how great H6105 (עָצַם) — to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; to crunch the bones
  • is the sum H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I should count H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
  • them, they are more in number H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
  • than the sand H2344 (חוֹל) — sand (as round or whirling particles)
  • when I awake H6974 (קוּץ) — to awake (literally or figuratively)
  • I am still H5750 (עוֹד) — properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

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

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Surely thou wilt slay H6991 (קָטַל) — properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) put to death
  • the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
  • O God H433 (אֱלוֹהַּ) — a deity or the Deity
  • depart H5493 (סוּר) — to turn off (literally or figuratively)
  • from me therefore, ye bloody H1818 (דָּם) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. dr…
  • men H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For they speak H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • against thee wickedly H4209 (מְזִמָּה) — a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity)
  • thine enemies H6145 (עָר) — a foe (as watchful for mischief)
  • take H5375 (נָשָׂא) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
  • in vain H7723 (שָׁוְא) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also…

21 Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Do not I hate H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
  • them, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
  • that hate H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
  • thee? and am not I grieved H6962 (קוּט) — properly, to cut off, i.e. (figuratively) detest
  • with those that rise up H8618 (תְּקוֹמֵם) — an opponent

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 101:3 · Luke 14:26
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • I hate H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
  • them with perfect H8503 (תַּכְלִית) — completion; by implication, an extremity
  • hatred H8135 (שִׂנְאָה) — hate
  • I count them mine enemies H341 (אֹיֵב) — hating; an adversary

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Search H2713 (חָקַר) — properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately
  • me, O God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • and know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • my heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • try H974 (בָּחַן) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
  • me, and know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • my thoughts H8312 (שַׂרְעַף) — cogitation

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • wicked H6090 (עֹצֶב) — an idol (as fashioned); also pain (bodily or mental)
  • way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • in me, and lead H5148 (נָחָה) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
  • me in the way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
  • everlasting H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…