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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/19_Psa_139_002.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 139:2 - You Have Searched Me and Known Me" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/139-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/139-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Chapter 139</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm" title="Psalm 139:1">◄</a> Psalm 139:2 <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm" title="Psalm 139:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/139.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/139.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/139.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/139.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/139.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/139.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thought from far away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/139.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/139.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thought from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/139.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/139.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/139.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/139.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/139.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/139.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/139.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/139.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You know when I rest and when I am active. You understand what I am thinking when I am distant from you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/139.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/139.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/139.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/139.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou knowest my down-sitting and my up rising, thou understandest my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/139.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/139.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You have known my sitting down, "" And my rising up, "" You have attended to my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/139.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thou -- Thou hast known my sitting down, And my rising up, Thou hast attended to my thoughts from afar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/139.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou knewest my sitting and my rising; thou didst understand for my thoughts from far of.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/139.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />thou hast know my sitting down, and my rising up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/139.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 138:2>You have known my sitting down and my rising up again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/139.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/139.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/139.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts from above.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/139.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You know my sitting and my rising; you have understood my reasonings from the high place.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/139.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/139.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising: thou understandest my thoughts long before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/139-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17224" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">You Have Searched Me and Known Me</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: šiḇ·tî (V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">when I sit</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: wə·qū·mî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise.">and when I rise;</a> <a href="/hebrew/995.htm" title="995: ban·tāh (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To discern. A primitive root; to separate mentally, i.e.(generally) understand.">You understand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7454.htm" title="7454: lə·rê·‘î (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cs) -- Purpose, aim. From ra'ah; a thought.">my thoughts</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: mê·rā·ḥō·wq (Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">from afar.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-3.htm">Jeremiah 12:3</a></span><br />But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a></span><br />As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8</a></span><br />Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-10.htm">Job 23:10</a></span><br />Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-24.htm">John 2:24-25</a></span><br />But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a></span><br />But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-27.htm">Romans 8:27</a></span><br />And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Matthew 9:4</a></span><br />But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a></span><br />Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21</a></span><br />For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-7.htm">Luke 12:7</a></span><br />And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-24.htm">Acts 1:24</a></span><br />And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You know my sitting down and my rising up, you understand my thought afar off.</p><p class="hdg">knowest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/56-8.htm">Psalm 56:8</a></b></br> Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: <i>are they</i> not in thy book?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-13.htm">Genesis 16:13</a></b></br> And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/6-12.htm">2 Kings 6:12</a></b></br> And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that <i>is</i> in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.</p><p class="hdg">understandest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-11.htm">Psalm 94:11</a></b></br> The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they <i>are</i> vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Matthew 9:4</a></b></br> And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/9-47.htm">Luke 9:47</a></b></br> And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,</p><p class="hdg">afar off</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/38-10.htm">Ezekiel 38:10,11,17</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, <i>that</i> at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/138-6.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/psalms/66-19.htm">Attended</a> <a href="/psalms/138-6.htm">Far</a> <a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/psalms/119-102.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/psalms/132-1.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/psalms/137-6.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/psalms/119-169.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Understandest</a> <a href="/luke/2-35.htm">Uprising</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/27-10.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Attended</a> <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm">Far</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-2.htm">Perceive</a> <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Rising</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-14.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-29.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/psalms/139-20.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/psalms/139-17.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-2.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-5.htm">Understandest</a> <a href="/mark/15-7.htm">Uprising</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 139</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">David praises God for his all-seeing providence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-17.htm">And for this infinite mercies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-19.htm">He defies the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">He prays for sincerity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/139.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/139.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You know when I sit and when I rise;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience, highlighting His intimate knowledge of our daily actions. In biblical times, sitting and rising were common activities that represented the entirety of a person's daily life. This reflects God's awareness of both mundane and significant moments. The idea of God knowing our actions is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/matthew/10-30.htm">Matthew 10:30</a>, where even the hairs on our head are numbered. This knowledge is not just passive awareness but indicates God's active involvement and care in our lives. The cultural context of the ancient Near East often involved gods who were distant and uninvolved, contrasting with the personal relationship depicted here.<p><b>You understand my thoughts from afar.</b><br>This part of the verse speaks to God's ability to perceive our innermost thoughts, even from a distance. The term "afar" can imply both physical distance and the depth of our inner being. This suggests that no thought is hidden from God, aligning with <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12-13</a>, which describes the Word of God as discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Theologically, this underscores the concept of God's omnipresence and omniscience, attributes that are unique to the God of Israel compared to the limited deities of surrounding cultures. This understanding of God's nature is foundational to the biblical worldview, where God is both transcendent and immanent, fully aware of and engaged with His creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing his awe at God's intimate knowledge of him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The central figure in this verse, depicted as omniscient and intimately aware of every detail of David's life.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sitting_and_rising.htm">Sitting and Rising</a></b><br>- These actions symbolize the entirety of a person's daily activities, emphasizing God's awareness of all aspects of life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/thoughts.htm">Thoughts</a></b><br>- Represents the inner life and mind of a person, which God understands completely, even from a distance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/afar.htm">Afar</a></b><br>- Indicates God's ability to perceive and understand from a distance, highlighting His omnipresence and omniscience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>God's knowledge of us is complete and perfect. He knows our actions and thoughts, which should lead us to live transparently before Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intimacy_with_god.htm">Intimacy with God</a></b><br>The personal nature of God's knowledge invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. We can be honest and open in our prayers, knowing He understands us fully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/comfort_in_god's_presence.htm">Comfort in God's Presence</a></b><br>Knowing that God is aware of our every move and thought can be a source of comfort, especially in times of loneliness or uncertainty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>God's awareness of our thoughts and actions calls us to live righteously and align our lives with His will, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_understanding.htm">Trust in God's Understanding</a></b><br>We can trust that God understands our struggles and needs, even when we cannot articulate them ourselves. This trust should lead us to rely on His guidance and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_139.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 139</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_skeptical_theism_say_on_divine_hiddenness.htm">What does the Bible say about mental health?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_god_perceive_our_thoughts.htm">Can God perceive our thoughts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_god_witness_sin.htm">Can God witness sin?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_psalm_139_23.htm">What is the meaning of Psalm 139:23?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/139.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Down-sitting and uprising</span>--as in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm" title="And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.">Deuteronomy 6:7</a>, to denote the whole daily life--business and rest.<p><span class= "bld">Thought.</span>--An Aramaic form found nowhere else, but, from one possible derivation ("companion"), meaning the thoughts which are inseparable companions, <span class= "ital">most intimate thoughts.</span><p>Comp. <span class= "ital">Macbeth </span>3:2:<p>"How now, my lord? Why do you keep alone,<p>Of sorriest fancies your companions making?"<p><span class= "bld">Afar off.</span>--Exactly as in <a href="/psalms/138-6.htm" title="Though the LORD be high, yet has he respect to the lowly: but the proud he knows afar off.">Psalm 138:6</a>. Jehovah notes and recognises the proud from afar off, so here though He has His home in heaven He knows what are the thoughts and feelings amid which a man habitually lives. (Comp. <a href="/context/job/22-12.htm" title="Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!">Job 22:12-13</a>.) The Hebrew expression literally means, <span class= "ital">thou hast intelligence as to my thought from afar, </span>an Aramaic expression. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/139.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising</span>. All that I do from one end of the day to the other. <span class="cmt_word">Thou understandest my thought afar off;</span> <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. while it is just forming - long before it is a fully developed thought. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/139-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֭דַעְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when I sit</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְתִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and when I rise;</span><br /><span class="heb">וְקוּמִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6965.htm">Strong's 6965: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arise, stand up, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You understand</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּ֥נְתָּה</span> <span class="translit">(ban·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_995.htm">Strong's 995: </a> </span><span class="str2">To separate mentally, understand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my thoughts</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֝רֵעִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rê·‘î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7454.htm">Strong's 7454: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose, aim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from afar.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרָחֽוֹק׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rā·ḥō·wq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7350.htm">Strong's 7350: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remote, of place, time, precious</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/139-2.htm">Psalm 139:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 139:2 You know my sitting down and my (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 139:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/139-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 139:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>