What does Psalms 139:2 mean?

"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." - Psalms 139:2

"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." - Psalms 139:2

Psalms 139:2 in the King James Version reads, "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." This verse is part of a larger psalm that is attributed to King David.

The overarching theme of Psalm 139 is the omniscience and omnipresence of God. In this particular verse, David is expressing his awe and wonder at God's intimate knowledge of him. It speaks to the idea that God is aware of every aspect of our lives, from the most mundane to the most significant. The phrase "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising" indicates that God is aware of David's every movement and action, whether he is sitting down or getting up. This demonstrates God's constant presence in David's life, which is a comforting thought for believers.

Furthermore, the verse continues with "thou understandest my thought afar off." This speaks to God's ability to comprehend and understand the innermost thoughts and feelings of an individual. The phrase "afar off" implies that God is able to understand and discern our thoughts even before we express them. This highlights the depth of God's knowledge and understanding of us, as well as His ability to perceive our innermost being.

The context of this verse within Psalm 139 is important to consider. The psalm as a whole delves into the depths of God's knowledge and presence in our lives. David marvels at the comprehensiveness of God's knowledge, declaring, "O Lord, thou has searched me, and known me" (Psalms 139:1). Throughout the psalm, David emphasizes the impossibility of escaping from God's presence, regardless of where we may go. Verse 7-8 states, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." This further demonstrates the all-encompassing nature of God's knowledge and presence.

In addition to the themes of God's omniscience and omnipresence, Psalm 139 also touches on the ideas of God's role as creator and sustainer. The psalmist marvels at the intricate details of how God formed him in the womb and recognizes that every moment of his life is in God's hands. This acknowledgement of God as the creator and sustainer of life reinforces the concept of God's intimate involvement in every aspect of our existence.

The symbolism in this verse lies in the imagery of God's knowledge and understanding. The visual of God knowing every moment of our lives, from our ups and downs to our innermost thoughts, paints a picture of a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people. This symbolizes God's care, attention, and love for each individual, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and humanity.

In conclusion, Psalm 139:2 in the King James Version is a powerful declaration of the omniscience and omnipresence of God. It speaks to the intimate knowledge and understanding that God has of each of us, emphasizing His constant presence in our lives. The verse is a testament to the depth of God's love and care for His people, serving as a source of comfort and reassurance for believers.

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Psalms 139:2 - "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off."

Psalms 139:2 - "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off."

"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." - Psalms 139:2

"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off." - Psalms 139:2

Psalms 139:23 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"

Psalms 139:23 - "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:"

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;" - Psalms 139:9

"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;" - Psalms 139:9

Psalms 139:1 - "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me."

Psalms 139:1 - "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me."

Psalms 139:9 - "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;"

Psalms 139:9 - "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;"

Psalms 139:24 - "And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalms 139:24 - "And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalms 139:4 - "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether."

Psalms 139:4 - "For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether."

Psalms 139:6 - "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

Psalms 139:6 - "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

"I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies." - Psalms 139:22

"I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies." - Psalms 139:22

Psalms 139:20 - "For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain."

Psalms 139:20 - "For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain."

Psalms 139:22 - "I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies."

Psalms 139:22 - "I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies."

Psalms 139:5 - "Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me."

Psalms 139:5 - "Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me."

Psalms 139:13 - "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb."

Psalms 139:13 - "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb."

Psalms 139:3 - "Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

Psalms 139:3 - "Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

Psalms 119:139 - "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words."

Psalms 119:139 - "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words."

Psalms 139:10 - "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Psalms 139:10 - "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

Psalms 139:11 - "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me."

Psalms 139:11 - "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me."

Psalms 139:17 - "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!"

Psalms 139:17 - "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!"

"My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words." - Psalms 119:139

"My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words." - Psalms 119:139

Psalms 139:12 - "Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

Psalms 139:12 - "Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee."

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:" - Psalms 139:23

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:" - Psalms 139:23

Psalms 139:7 - "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"

Psalms 139:7 - "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?"

"If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me." - Psalms 139:11

"If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me." - Psalms 139:11

"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." - Psalms 139:10

"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." - Psalms 139:10

Psalms 139:8 - "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."

Psalms 139:8 - "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."

Psalms 139:19 - "Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men."

Psalms 139:19 - "Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men."

Psalms 139:15 - "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."

Psalms 139:15 - "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" - Psalms 139:17

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" - Psalms 139:17

"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." - Psalms 139:12

"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee." - Psalms 139:12