Psalm 139: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 139 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh knows the psalmist well. He knows when he sits and rises. He understands his thoughts from afar. Yahweh also searches the psalmist's path and lying down (vv. 1-3). There is nowhere to escape from Yahweh's presence. Whether in heaven or Sheol, He is there (vv. 7-8). The psalmist describes how even the darkness is light to Yahweh (vv. 11-12). Yahweh formed the psalmist's inmost being. He was woven together in his mother's womb (vv. 13-15). Yahweh sees all the psalmist's days before they happen (v. 16). The psalmist expresses a strong dislike for wicked people. He feels grieved by those who oppose Yahweh (vv. 19-22). He then asks Yahweh to search his heart and thoughts. The psalmist desires guidance in the everlasting way (vv. 23-24).

Key verse

“Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.”
Psalms 139:23 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 139:1–6 God's Knowledge of the Psalmist
Psalm 139:7–12 God's Omnipresence
Psalm 139:13–18 God's Creative Power
Psalm 139:19–22 Hatred for the Wicked
Psalm 139:23–24 A Prayer for Examination

Discussion questions

In v2, what does the psalmist mean by 'my sitting down and my rising up'?
In v13, what does the psalmist mean by 'you formed my inmost being'?
The phrase 'the wings of the dawn' in v9: what imagery does this evoke about God's presence?
In v19, why does the psalmist express a desire for God to 'kill the wicked'?
When has someone you know shown 'perfect hatred' towards a person or idea?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 139: Proverbs 4, Jeremiah 1, Psalm 119.

Before next time: read Psalm 140.