Articles
The God Who Knows Me
Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful psalms emphasizing the divine nature of God. His omnipotence and omnipresence are presented more magnificently here than perhaps anywhere else in the book of Psalms. It is a personal prayer which revolves around the wonderful attributes of God – His knowledge, power and universality flow through the prayer. They are presented as truths the psalmist learned from his personal walk with God. It answers questions such as: What is God like? How should a believer view Him?
David said that he found God to be all-knowing. God, he said, knows us more intimately than we know ourselves.
“1O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.”
The psalmist also discovered that God is everywhere. With graphic and picturesque language he describes God’s omnipresence.
“7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”
David also found God to be all powerful. He realized God made him, forming him into a human being.
“13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
Another trait of God that enters into any relationship with Him is His righteousness.
“19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. 20 For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.”
What is God like? He is all knowing, present everywhere, all powerful and righteous. These truths about God should not discourage us. Rather they should be foundation stones for a personal relationship with Him. It should be comforting to us to know that we are His children, He knows us and that no matter what happens in this life, He is there with us.
