Psalm 139
Psalm 139 is David's meditation on God's total knowledge and presence — searching us, knitting us in the womb, present everywhere we go. The basis of human dignity and the comfort of being fully known.
The Book of Psalms · Old Testament · chapter 139 of 150.
Where this chapter sits
Directed to a choir leader and credited to David by its heading, this meditation moves through distinct stages: God's knowledge of thought and word, God's presence in every place including the grave, then the shaping of the body before birth, before an abrupt turn near the close into a lament's language, pleading against the psalmist's enemies, a shift many readers find jarring against the tenderness before it. Both threads belong to the same voice.
Key verses (KJV)
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14 (KJV)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” — Psalm 139:23 (KJV)
What to notice as you read
The final section pivots sharply at verse 19, from wonder to a wish for God to deal with the wicked, then pivots into an invitation, 'search me, O God,' turning the complaint back on the speaker. That double turn is easy to miss but is central to the poem's logic.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does Psalm 139 come in Psalms?
It is chapter 139 of 150 in Psalms, a book of Wisdom in the Old Testament. The other widely-read chapters of Psalms are linked further down this page.
Where can I read Psalm 139?
Read the full text of Psalm 139 — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.