How Precious to Me Are Your Thoughts, O God!

When you think about God, what comes to mind? The answer is very important. Hopefully, you can say with David, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Psalm 139:17) as you think about His protection, presence, purpose, penalty, and purity.

God’s Protection

Psalm 139, composed by David for the choirmaster, emphatically declares that the Lord will both fulfill His purpose for His people and protect His people. Filled with personal pronouns, the psalm invites the individual to sing, but also the covenant community, especially those in exile who need to be reminded of God’s person and works.   

               The first stanza of Psalm 139 emphasizes God’s protection (vv. 1-6). It begins, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me” (v. 1). To be known is one of the greatest longings of the human heart and the Lord knows us better than anyone else. He knows His people extensively and intimately, laying His hand upon them like a tender shepherd, guiding them in all their ways. “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me” (v. 5).

               Jesus came as “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). God the Father could have laid His hand of protection upon Him, but instead Jesus accomplished our redemption by offering Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins, so that we might have eternal life. Today we can rejoice in God’s protection of His people, recognizing that it’s not physical protection He promises but spiritual. No one can take our salvation away.

God’s Presence

The second stanza of Psalm 139 emphasizes God’s presence (vv. 7-12). It is of great comfort that nothing can separate us from the presence of God. We can go to heaven or hell, travel to the east or west, experience the darkest night or the brightest day, and still be in God’s presence. Everywhere we are “even there [the Lord’s] hand shall lead [us], and [His] right hand shall hold [us]” (v. 10).  

               Jesus came as Immanuel, God with us. He is “the light of the world” who promises, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Since “God is for us” there is nothing that “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:31, 39). Therefore, even in the midst of trials and tribulations we can sing praises to the Lord. 

God’s Purpose

The third stanza emphasizes God’s purpose for each one of His children (vv. 13-18). Each person is a work of God’s creative power and purpose, “formed” and “knitted…together in [their] mother’s womb” and “fearfully and wonderfully made” (vv. 13-14). What a great comfort to know that “in [the Lord’s] book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (v. 16). God’s purpose for His people is rooted in His covenant promise to be present with His people. Indeed, every believer can say, “I awake, and I am still with you” (v. 18).    

               By God’s power, Jesus was supernaturally knit together in Mary’s womb to be the Savior of the world. Every day He walked this earth was filled with purpose, specifically to accomplish the redemption of God’s people. Believers today also have been given a purpose. We are to glorify God by worshiping Him, working for His glory and witnessing for His great name, so that people from every nation will receive Him as both Savior and Lord.

God’s Penalty 

It should not surprise us that in Psalm 139, which is about God’s protection, presence, and purpose, we also learn of His penalty against all humankind because all have sinned (vv. 19-22). Psalm 1 teaches that there are only two roads from which to choose—the road of righteousness and the road of rebellion. David reminds us that these paths are so divergent in purpose and purity they cannot coexist or intermingle.

               It’s no surprise that God’s enemies are also the enemies of God’s people. Jesus came to set us free from sin and death and Satan. In light of God’s justice and righteousness, believers desire that those with “malicious intent” who “hate” the Lord will be judged (vv. 20-21).

God’s Purity  

In contrast to God’s enemies, the believer desires God to “search me…and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23). God’s purity cannot mix with the putrid sin of the wicked that are under His just penalty. Therefore, the believer needs the Lord to “lead me in the way everlasting!” (v. 24).

               Jesus came to save us from the penalty of death due to sin. He was perfectly pure on our behalf. Therefore, we are to be holy, asking the Lord to search our hearts and reveal our sin. Also, we should pray for those who don’t know Christ as Lord and Savior and proclaim to them the kingdom of God.

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What comes to mind when you think about God is of the utmost importance. Like David, you want to be able to exclaim, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Psalm 139:17) as you consider His protection, presence, purpose, penalty, and purity.