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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 139:5 You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_139_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 139:5 - You Have Searched Me and Known Me" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me." /><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/139-5.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/139-5.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 5</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="/ad5.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/139-4.htm" title="Psalm 139:4">◄</a> Psalm 139:5 <a href="/psalms/139-6.htm" title="Psalm 139:6">►</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 hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/139.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/139.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/139.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/139.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/139.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have encircled me behind and in front, And placed Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, And laid Thy hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/139.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You have enclosed me behind and before, And You have put Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/139.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have] placed Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/139.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/139.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/139.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/139.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/139.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/139.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/139.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/139.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You encircle me from back to front, placing your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/139.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/139.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/139.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You encircle me behind and in front, and you place your hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/139.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/139.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me. <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 besieged me behind and before, "" And You place Your hand on me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/139.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Behind and before Thou hast besieged me, And Thou dost place on me Thy hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/139.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst press me behind and before, and thou wilt place thine hand upon me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/139.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Behold, O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/139.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 138:5>Behold, O Lord, you have known all things: the newest and the very old. You have formed me, and you have placed your hand over me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/139.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/139.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/139.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />From the beginning to the end, thou knowest me, O LORD, for thou hast formed and laid thy hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/139.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For from the beginning to the end you have formed me, and you have set your hand upon me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/139.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou hast hemmed me in behind and before, And laid Thy hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/139.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />the last and the first: thou hast fashioned me, and laid thine hand upon me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/139-5.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=17243" 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">4</span>Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6696.htm" title="6696: ṣar·tā·nî (V-Qal-Perf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To confine, bind, besiege. A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine.">You hem me in</a> <a href="/hebrew/268.htm" title="268: ’ā·ḥō·wr (N-ms) -- The hind side, back part. Or achor; from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence behind, backward; also the West.">behind</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: wā·qe·ḏem (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">and before;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7896.htm" title="7896: wat·tā·šeṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms) -- To put, set. A primitive root; to place.">You have laid</a> <a href="/hebrew/3709.htm" title="3709: kap·pe·ḵāh (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan. From kaphaph; the hollow hand or palm; figuratively, power.">Your hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.…<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="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8-9</a></span><br />If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him. / When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-8.htm">Deuteronomy 31:8</a></span><br />The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21-22</a></span><br />And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-16.htm">2 Kings 6:16-17</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” / Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23-24</a></span><br />“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?” / “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a></span><br />Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-12.htm">Isaiah 52:12</a></span><br />For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-7.htm">Philippians 4:7</a></span><br />And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-28.htm">John 10:28-29</a></span><br />I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9</a></span><br />But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You have beset me behind and before, and laid your hand on me.</p><p class="hdg">beset me</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-27.htm">Deuteronomy 33:27</a></b></br> The eternal God <i>is thy</i> refuge, and underneath <i>are</i> the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy <i>them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/23-8.htm">Job 23:8,9</a></b></br> Behold, I go forward, but he <i>is</i> not <i>there</i>; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: … </p><p class="hdg">and laid</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Exodus 24:11</a></b></br> And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Revelation 1:17</a></b></br> And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/109-3.htm">Beset</a> <a href="/psalms/108-10.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/psalms/119-61.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-27.htm">Hem</a> <a href="/job/23-17.htm">Hemmed</a> <a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/psalms/121-4.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/124-2.htm">Side</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/7-2.htm">Beset</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-14.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/songs/4-12.htm">Enclosed</a> <a href="/psalms/139-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Hem</a> <a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Hemmed</a> <a href="/psalms/141-9.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm">Side</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 hem me in behind and before;</b><br>This phrase suggests God's comprehensive protection and guidance. The imagery of being "hemmed in" evokes the idea of being surrounded or enclosed, indicating God's omnipresence and omnipotence. In biblical times, cities were often fortified with walls for protection, and this metaphor reflects a similar sense of security provided by God. The concept of God being both "behind and before" emphasizes His eternal nature, as He exists outside of time, knowing the past, present, and future. This aligns with other scriptures such as <a href="/isaiah/52-12.htm">Isaiah 52:12</a>, which speaks of God going before and being the rear guard, and <a href="/deuteronomy/31-8.htm">Deuteronomy 31:8</a>, where God promises to go before His people. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (<a href="/revelation/22-13.htm">Revelation 22:13</a>).<p><b>You have laid Your hand upon me.</b><br>The laying of God's hand signifies His personal involvement and blessing. In the cultural context of the Bible, the laying on of hands was a significant act, often associated with blessing, commissioning, or imparting authority, as seen in <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Genesis 48:14</a> when Jacob blesses Ephraim and Manasseh. This phrase indicates God's intimate care and guidance, suggesting a personal relationship with the believer. It also reflects God's sovereignty and control over one's life, as His hand directs and sustains. This can be connected to the New Testament, where Jesus lays hands on individuals to heal and bless them, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion (<a href="/mark/10-16.htm">Mark 10:16</a>). The hand of God is a recurring biblical motif representing power, provision, and protection, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a>, where God reassures His people with His righteous right hand.<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>, King David, is expressing his intimate relationship with God and his understanding of God's omnipresence and omniscience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the one who surrounds and protects David, demonstrating His sovereignty and care.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of David's life and his role as king of Israel provides a backdrop for understanding the communal and personal implications of God's protection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipresence_and_protection.htm">God's Omnipresence and Protection</a></b><br>God's presence is not limited by time or space; He is always with us, providing protection and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_sovereignty.htm">Divine Sovereignty</a></b><br>The imagery of being "hemmed in" reflects God's control over our circumstances, reminding us that nothing happens outside His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_relationship_with_god.htm">Personal Relationship with God</a></b><br>David's acknowledgment of God's intimate involvement in his life encourages us to seek a deeper personal relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Understanding that God has "laid His hand upon us" should inspire trust in His plan, even when we cannot see the full picture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/comfort_in_god's_presence.htm">Comfort in God's Presence</a></b><br>The assurance of God's surrounding presence offers comfort and peace, especially in times of uncertainty or fear.<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/how_does_psalm_144_1_align_with_peace.htm">How can Psalm 144:1's portrayal of God training hands for war be reconciled with other biblical teachings on peace (e.g., Matthew 5:9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_psalm_31_5_altered_for_luke_23_46.htm">In Psalm 31:5, 'Into your hand I commit my spirit' also appears in Luke 23:46--was this psalm later retrofitted to validate New Testament claims?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_babies_to_suffer.htm">Why does God allow babies to be born with painful, fatal diseases if He knits them in the womb (Psalm 139:13)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_13_1_say_god_forgets.htm">If God is omniscient and omnipresent, why does Psalm 13:1 imply He can forget the psalmist?</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>(5) <span class= "bld">Beset</span>--as a beleagured city from which there is no escape.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/139.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou hast beset me behind and before</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. "thou art ever close to me, and therefore hast complete knowledge of me. Thine omniscience arises out of thy omnipresence." <span class="cmt_word">And laid thine hand upon me.</span> To uphold me, and at the same time to restrain me (comp. ver. 10). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/139-5.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 hem me in</span><br /><span class="heb">צַרְתָּ֑נִי</span> <span class="translit">(ṣar·tā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6696.htm">Strong's 6696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confine, bind, besiege</span><br /><br /><span class="word">behind</span><br /><span class="heb">אָח֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hinder part, behind, backward, the West</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and before;</span><br /><span class="heb">וָקֶ֣דֶם</span> <span class="translit">(wā·qe·ḏem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> </span><span class="str2">The front, of place, time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You have laid</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתָּ֖שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tā·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7896.htm">Strong's 7896: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your hand</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּפֶּֽכָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(kap·pe·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3709.htm">Strong's 3709: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">upon me.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/139-5.htm">Psalm 139:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 139:5 You hem me in behind and before (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/139-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 139:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/139-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 139:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:6" /></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>