Digging Deeper posts are intended to help us go farther into God’s word than a simple surface reading
and are designed to help us discover new tools in the process.
Curious as to why we Dig Deeper? Here’s Why!
The Passage
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Psalm 139:11-16 English Standard Version (ESV)
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.
My Questions
1) Who is writing this Psalm and why did they write it?
2) What contrasting imagery does the writer use in v.12 to illustrate his point?
3) What three descriptors does the writer use in this passage to show God’s awareness even before we are born?
The Tools
A trip to www.studylight.org is in order here.
We will get super cozy with this site as we study Scripture together!
Just type in the verse you’re looking at and Boom!
It’s right in front of you in English and Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament), which are the original languages the Bible was written in.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse?
Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Find super awesome stuff like “origin”, “definition”, and even all the different ways that single word has been translated into English! If you want to be geeky, you can even click the word and hear its original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want to get more background on a word or phrasing or passage?
Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
The Findings for Original Intent
1) Psalm 139 was written by David. Keep in mind a lot of Psalms where actual hymns that were sung in worship services. David, throughout this Psalm, wants to remind the reader that God is aware. He is there in our lowest lows and highest highs. God has intimate knowledge of His creation even before we were born. David makes it clear that there is nowhere God is not. He is both omnipresent (everywhere) and omniscient (all knowing).
2) In continuing to iterate his point, David uses the analogy of light and darkness. David says, “even the darkness is not dark to you”. In our dark moments and seasons God’s light and hope permeate. The truth is God is there and He is aware!
3) In v. 14, David says, “you formed my inwards parts…you knitted me together”, in v. 15, he says, “my frame was not hidden from you”, and in v. 16, “your eyes have seen my unformed substance.” God sees! Even before we were intricately woven by an Almighty Creator, He saw us. David repeats three times in this passage that God uniquely designed and created each one us with thought and precision. (Check out Addie’s story!)
Some Applications for Our Everyday Lives
1) David clearly wanted the reader to understand that God is in control. Circumstances, trials, and the unknown do not control what we know to be true. In moments of doubt and fear, God reminds us through David’s words that our Heavenly Father created us, protects us, and knows us intimately!
2) Light and dark are tangible analogies that can be understood. We know darkness and its capability to consume but God’s light is brighter, bigger, and more powerful than the darkest night. It will not overwhelm but even the darkness is subject to God Almighty!
3) “In the beginning God created….” Genesis 1;1. This world and our circumstances do not change God’s character. As a father loves a child, so our Heavenly Father created us and loves us. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14). Praise God for His thought, His vision, and His intimate nature with which He chose before the foundation of the world to frame us in His image. (Genesis 1:27)
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I don’t ever feel like God is ignoring me, it seems people talk down to me I guess it may be because of my health issues. I can’t do all the same things they do. The longer I’m by myself each day the harder it becomes to step out into loving felloeship.
I’m so sorry you feel alone and separated from fellowship with the Body. Praying for you to find a community to love on and be welcomed by!
There is so much mighty strength we have access to in the Lord! As I read Psalm 18 this morning, I was so encouraged by His faithful, persistent protection of us by His valiant love! He refuses to abandon us to death, sees past the temporary, and welcomes us into so much more! The description of God rescuing us from sin in psalm 18:4-19 is my very favorite.