Psalm 139 23

Psalm 139:23 kjv

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalm 139:23 nkjv

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;

Psalm 139:23 niv

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 139:23 esv

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!

Psalm 139:23 nlt

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 139 verses

Psalm 139 23 Meaning

Psalm 139:23 is a deeply personal and humble prayer offered to God, inviting His divine and perfect scrutiny of the human heart and mind. It expresses a profound desire for inner purity and an unwavering trust in God's omniscience and omnipotence to reveal any hidden sin, flawed motivations, or misguided thoughts that the individual might not recognize in themselves. It is an acknowledgment that only God can truly discern the deepest parts of a person's being.

Psalm 139 23 Context

Psalm 139 is a profound reflection on God's omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent nature. The preceding verses (1-18) beautifully detail God's intimate knowledge of the Psalmist's thoughts, words, movements, and even his unformed body in the womb. This revelation of God's perfect and inescapable awareness leads to verses 19-22, where the Psalmist expresses his deep abhorrence for God's enemies, aligning himself with God's holiness against wickedness. Verses 23 and 24, the concluding thoughts of the psalm, logically flow from this foundational understanding. Having recognized God's unfathomable knowledge and his own righteous stance against evil, the Psalmist makes a vulnerable, humble, yet confident plea for God to actively search and purify his own inner being, acknowledging that self-examination is limited and only God's perfect sight can reveal hidden impurities or errant paths, ultimately leading him in the way of eternal life.

Psalm 139 23 Word analysis

• Search me (חָקְרֵנִי - chaq'reni): From the Hebrew verb חָקַר (chaqar), meaning "to search out," "explore," "investigate deeply," or "fathom." This is not a superficial glance but an intensive, probing examination, as if searching for something hidden or examining a difficult problem. The "me" is appended as a suffix, emphasizing the personal appeal.

• O God (אֵל - 'El): A general but powerful Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His might, supremacy, and unique divine nature. It reinforces the understanding that only a deity with such attributes could undertake such a profound search.

• and know my heart (וּדְעָה לְבָבִי - u'de'ah l'vavi):

  • and know (וּדְעָה - u'de'ah): From יָדַע (yada'), meaning "to know" in a comprehensive, experiential sense; to discern, perceive, understand fully.
  • my heart (לְבָבִי - l'vavi): The "heart" (levav or lev) in Hebrew thought is not merely the organ of emotion but the seat of the entire inner person: the intellect, will, affections, conscience, intentions, and moral character. It represents the core of one's being and motives.

• try me (וּבְחָנֵנִי - u'vchaneni): From בָּחַן (bachan), meaning "to test," "examine," "prove," "scrutinize," often implying a test for genuineness or purity, like assaying metal. It carries the nuance of putting to the test to reveal true quality or defects.

• and know my thoughts (וּדְעָה שַׂרְעַפַּי - u'de'ah sar'ap'ay):

  • and know (וּדְעָה - u'de'ah): Repeated, emphasizing the deep understanding desired.
  • my thoughts (שַׂרְעַפַּי - sar'ap'ay): Plural of שַׂרְעָף (sar'af), which can mean "disquieting thoughts," "anxieties," "divided opinions," or deep, "secret thoughts" or "meditations." It refers to the inner musings, perhaps complex, wandering, or even troubled thoughts, beyond mere intellectual reasoning.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Search me, O God, and know my heart:" This phrase initiates the plea with a double request for divine penetration into the most profound and secret aspects of one's inner being. It signifies a profound humility and trust, acknowledging human limitation in self-assessment. It’s an active surrender to God's omnipresence already established in the earlier part of the psalm.
  • "try me, and know my thoughts:" This second part reinforces the request, broadening the scope from the "heart" (the core of intent and being) to "thoughts" (the complex and often unformed or even wayward mental activity). The verb "try" adds the dimension of testing for integrity and exposing any impurity, demonstrating a desire for purification and a life aligned with God's standards.

Psalm 139 23 Bonus section

This prayer demonstrates immense spiritual courage. Most people instinctively hide their deepest flaws, even from themselves. The Psalmist, however, willingly opens his innermost self to the all-penetrating gaze of God, implicitly trusting that God's purpose in searching is redemptive, not punitive. It challenges superficial self-analysis or mere outward religious observance. True spirituality demands an invitation for God to work from the inside out. Furthermore, this psalm's placement, at the end of a psalm describing God's omnipresence, teaches that familiarity with God's presence should lead not to fear, but to confident, transparent communion, even when seeking painful revelations. This proactive surrender to God's scrutiny is essential for walking in holiness and avoiding self-deception.

Psalm 139 23 Commentary

Psalm 139:23 is a deeply earnest and trusting prayer arising from a soul keenly aware of God's omnipresence and omniscience. After declaring God's perfect knowledge of his every move and thought (v. 1-6), and recognizing God's formative hand in his creation (v. 13-16), the Psalmist pivots from God knowing him to God searching him by invitation. This prayer signifies genuine humility, a radical transparency before the Almighty, and a mature confidence in God's loving purpose. It's an admission that the human heart, being "deceitful above all things" (Jer 17:9), cannot fully discern its own hidden flaws or secret inclinations. Therefore, the Psalmist submits to the ultimate, divine "Heart-Searcher."

The request to "search" and "know the heart" refers to the core of one's motivations, affections, and character. The subsequent plea to "try" and "know the thoughts" extends this scrutiny to the complex, often chaotic, or subconscious movements of the mind – our anxieties, hidden musings, or unexpressed attitudes. The language implies an active, intense process of divine examination, not just passive observation. This prayer is a plea for refinement, asking God to expose any "wicked way" (v. 24) – any thought, desire, or path not aligned with His will – not for condemnation, but for spiritual liberation and guidance into "the way everlasting." It underpins true repentance, acknowledging the need for God's illumination to even identify one's deepest sins. This verse remains a cornerstone for authentic Christian introspection and reliance on the Holy Spirit for sanctification.

Practical Examples:

• Before making a big decision: Pray Ps 139:23, asking God to reveal any self-serving motives or fears hindering God's will.
• After a disagreement: Instead of blaming, pray Ps 139:23 to discern if any pride, resentment, or unforgiveness hides in your heart or thoughts.
• During spiritual dryness: Ask God to search you for unknown obstacles to intimacy with Him, such as apathy or idols.