Psalm 139:5 kjv
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 nkjv
You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 niv
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 esv
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 nlt
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Psalm 139 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 139:1 | O Lord, you have searched me and known me! | God's exhaustive knowledge |
| Psa 139:7-10 | Where shall I go from your Spirit?... If I take the wings of the morning… | God's omnipresence (inescapable presence) |
| Psa 125:2 | As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people... | God's protective encirclement |
| Isa 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers… | God's presence in trials |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. | God as a protective dwelling |
| Jer 23:23-24 | “Am I a God at hand,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away?... | God fills all of creation |
| Prov 15:3 | The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. | God's comprehensive oversight |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed… | God's full knowledge of all things |
| Isa 46:9-10 | ...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me... | God's foreknowledge and sovereign plan |
| 1 Chr 28:9 | ...if you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. | God knows all hearts |
| Deut 3:24 | O Lord God, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand... | God's powerful hand |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. | God's strengthening and upholding hand |
| Psa 32:4 | For day and night your hand was heavy upon me... | God's disciplinary hand |
| Lk 22:42 | “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” | Christ's submission to God's hand |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | God's enabling hand (divine empowerment) |
| Ezr 7:9 | ...for the good hand of his God was upon him. | God's hand for blessing and guidance |
| Acts 4:28 | ...to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. | God's sovereign control over events |
| Gen 16:13 | So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” | God's personal watchfulness |
| Eph 1:11 | In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will… | God's ultimate plan for all things |
| Job 23:10 | But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. | God knows and purifies |
| Psa 23:4 | Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. | God's guiding and comforting presence |
Psalm 139 verses
Psalm 139 5 Meaning
Psalm 139:5 reveals the psalmist's profound understanding of God's omnipresent and sovereign nature. It communicates that the divine being encompasses us completely—from our past to our future—and actively interacts with our lives through His mighty power and authority. This verse conveys both an inescapable divine presence and meticulous care, underscoring that no part of one's existence is outside God's purview.
Psalm 139 5 Context
Psalm 139 stands as a profound theological masterpiece meditating on the attributes of God. It is largely a wisdom psalm, but also has elements of lament and hymn. The immediate context of verse 5 flows directly from the psalmist's realization of God's complete knowledge of his inner thoughts and outward actions (v. 1-4). This verse deepens that understanding by proclaiming God's inescapable spatial and temporal encompassment. It sets the stage for the following verses, which elaborate on God's omnipresence (v. 7-12) and His meticulous work in human creation (v. 13-16), concluding with a plea for divine guidance based on this intimate knowledge (v. 23-24). The historical context is within the tradition of Israel's monotheism, standing in stark contrast to the pagan deities who were limited by space, time, or knowledge. This psalm unequivocally declares the unapproachable superiority of Yahweh as the all-knowing, ever-present, and all-powerful Creator and Sustainer.
Psalm 139 5 Word analysis
- You: A direct, personal address to God, emphasizing an intimate relationship. The psalmist speaks from a deeply personal experience of God's involvement in his life.
- hem me in (צַרְתָּנִי - tsartani): From the Hebrew root צור (tsur), meaning "to tie up," "to besiege," "to form," or "to bind." In this context, it implies encirclement, confinement, or pressing in from all sides. It can denote protection, like a strong defense wall, or an inescapable presence, like being cornered. The active verb indicates God's deliberate action in encompassing the psalmist. It implies no angle or dimension is left unguarded or unobserved by God.
- —behind and before (אָחוֹר וָקֶדֶם - 'achor waqedem): Literally, "back" and "front," or "behind" and "eastward." This phrase is a merism, a literary device where two opposing parts represent the whole. It signifies completeness, totality.
- Significance: Spatially, it means from every direction, leaving no place uncovered. Temporally, it can refer to all of life's experiences, from past to future, emphasizing God's knowledge of what was and what is to come. It leaves no blind spots in time or space regarding God's awareness and presence.
- you have laid (וַתָּשֶׁת - wattashet): From the Hebrew verb שִׁית (shit), meaning "to place," "to put," "to set." This conveys an intentional, deliberate act of God. It is not an accidental or passive presence, but an active exertion of will and power.
- your hand (כַּפֶּךָ - kappekha): The word kaph refers to the palm of the hand. It is an anthropomorphism, representing God's active power, authority, guidance, ownership, blessing, or even discipline.
- Significance: This phrase signifies God's direct and sovereign involvement in the psalmist's life. "Laying the hand upon" often implies possession, commissioning, protection, or bestowing power/authority. In this context, combined with being "hemmed in," it denotes God's comprehensive, providential rule over the psalmist's existence, indicating divine guidance and unwavering presence.
- "You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me."
- This two-part statement paints a holistic picture of God's intimate involvement. The first part ("You hem me in—behind and before") emphasizes God's inescapable omnipresence and perfect knowledge. The second part ("you have laid your hand upon me") clarifies the nature of this encompassment – it is not just passive awareness, but active, intentional engagement, exerting His authority and influence over every facet of life. It implies God's personal touch on the psalmist's journey.
Psalm 139 5 Bonus section
The profound personal nature of this verse, indicated by "me," underscores that God's omnipresence and omniscience are not merely abstract theological doctrines, but deeply relational realities. For believers, this truth is a source of immense security and peace; one is never truly alone, vulnerable, or forgotten. Conversely, for those who seek to hide from God's scrutiny, the thought of being perpetually "hemmed in" can be unsettling. This verse illustrates the tension between God's enveloping presence as protection and as a manifestation of inescapable accountability. Furthermore, "laying hand upon" could also subtly hint at a commissioning or ownership, akin to the practice of a master placing his hand on his servant, signifying a covenant relationship where God actively governs and prepares His beloved ones for His purposes.
Psalm 139 5 Commentary
Psalm 139:5 concisely declares the staggering truth of God's complete grasp of us. The phrase "You hem me in" conveys an encompassing reality, suggesting that God surrounds us from all sides, spatially and temporally, ensuring no aspect of our past, present, or future escapes His watchful eye. The term "behind and before" solidifies this totality, denoting comprehensive knowledge of our history and destiny. Further, "you have laid your hand upon me" speaks of God's active, intentional engagement and sovereignty. This divine "hand" can symbolize guidance, blessing, protection, ownership, or even a disciplinary touch, all revealing an intimately involved God. Far from being a remote deity, the Lord is meticulously present and active in every moment and every direction of our lives, demonstrating both overwhelming power and personal care. This truth offers profound comfort to the faithful, knowing they are constantly guarded and guided, but it also serves as a solemn reminder of divine accountability for all who stand before such an all-knowing God.