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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 139:17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_139_017.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 139:17 - You Have Searched Me and Known Me" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!" /><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/139-17.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/139-17.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 17</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="/ad17.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/139-16.htm" title="Psalm 139:16">◄</a> Psalm 139:17 <a href="/psalms/139-18.htm" title="Psalm 139:18">►</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 />How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/139.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/139.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/139.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/139.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/139.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How precious also are Thy thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/139.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/139.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/139.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God, how precious your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/139.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/139.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/139.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/139.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/139.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/139.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />O God, how difficult I find your thoughts; how many of them there are! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/139.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />How deep are your thoughts, God! How great is their number!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/139.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/139.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How precious to me are your thoughts, God. How vast is the sum of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/139.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How precious also are thy thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/139.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/139.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/139.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And how precious Your thoughts have been to me, "" O God, how great has been their sum!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/139.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And to me how precious have been Thy thoughts, O God, how great hath been their sum!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/139.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And to me how were thy thoughts precious, O God! how were their heads strong!<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/139.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But to me thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/139.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 138:17>But to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. Their first ruler has been exceedingly strengthened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/139.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How precious to me are your designs, O God; how vast the sum of them! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/139.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/139.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How precious also are thy mercies to me, O God! How great is the sum of them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/139.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But your friends are very precious to me, oh, God, and they have strengthened their rulers greatly.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/139.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How weighty also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/139.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But thy friends, O God, have been greatly honoured by me; their rule has been greatly strengthened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/139-17.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=17338" 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">16</span>Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/wə·lî (Conj-w:: Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/3365.htm" title="3365: yā·qə·rū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be precious, prized or appraised. A primitive root; properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. valuable; causatively, to make rare.">precious to me</a> <a href="/hebrew/7454.htm" title="7454: rê·‘e·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Purpose, aim. From ra'ah; a thought.">are Your thoughts,</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">O God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">how</a> <a href="/hebrew/6105.htm" title="6105: ‘ā·ṣə·mū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. Close; intransitively, to be powerful or numerous; denominatively to crunch the bones.">vast</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">is their sum!</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.…<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/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a></span><br />“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-34</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/42-2.htm">Job 42:2-3</a></span><br />“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted. / You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a></span><br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-9.htm">1 Corinthians 2:9-10</a></span><br />Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.<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="/ephesians/3-20.htm">Ephesians 3:20-21</a></span><br />Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, / to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/5-9.htm">Job 5:9</a></span><br />the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.<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="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-5.htm">Psalm 92:5</a></span><br />How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-14.htm">Job 26:14</a></span><br />Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-17.htm">Ephesians 1:17-18</a></span><br />that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-21.htm">Proverbs 19:21</a></span><br />Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!</p><p class="hdg">precious</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-5.htm">Psalm 40:5</a></b></br> Many, O LORD my God, <i>are</i> thy wonderful works <i>which</i> thou hast done, and thy thoughts <i>which are</i> to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: <i>if</i> I would declare and speak <i>of them</i>, they are more than can be numbered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-31.htm">Proverbs 8:31</a></b></br> Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights <i>were</i> with the sons of men.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8,9</a></b></br> For my thoughts <i>are</i> not your thoughts, neither <i>are</i> your ways my ways, saith the LORD… </p><p class="hdg">how great</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/31-19.htm">Psalm 31:19</a></b></br> <i>Oh</i> how great <i>is</i> thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; <i>which</i> thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-7.htm">Psalm 36:7</a></b></br> How excellent <i>is</i> thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/119-140.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/psalms/139-14.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/133-2.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/psalms/119-160.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/psalms/104-25.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-10.htm">Weighty</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Dear</a> <a href="/psalms/144-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-13.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Sum</a> <a href="/psalms/139-22.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-18.htm">Vast</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-27.htm">Weighty</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>How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the value and esteem the psalmist places on God's thoughts. In biblical context, "thoughts" can refer to God's plans, purposes, and intentions. The Hebrew word for "precious" suggests something rare and valuable, akin to jewels or treasures. This reflects the psalmist's deep appreciation for God's wisdom and understanding. The phrase echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are described as higher than human thoughts and ways. It also connects to the idea of God's omniscience, as seen earlier in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, where God's intimate knowledge of the psalmist is detailed. The reverence for God's thoughts can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the wisdom of God in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">1 Corinthians 1:24</a>.<p><b>how vast is their sum!</b><br>The vastness of God's thoughts indicates their infinite nature, suggesting that they are beyond human comprehension. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's omnipotence and omniscience, as seen in <a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a>, where God's mysteries are described as higher than the heavens and deeper than the depths. The psalmist's awe at the magnitude of God's thoughts reflects a recognition of God's sovereignty and the complexity of His creation and plans. This vastness can also be seen in the context of God's covenantal promises, which are numerous and encompass all of history, pointing to the fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies the culmination of God's redemptive plan. The phrase invites believers to trust in God's comprehensive understanding and perfect will, as seen in <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-36</a>, where Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.<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 awe and reverence for God's omniscience and intimate knowledge of him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The central figure in this verse, whose thoughts and knowledge are described as precious and vast.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- While not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the Psalms often reflects the relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_god's_thoughts.htm">The Value of God's Thoughts</a></b><br>God's thoughts towards us are not only numerous but also precious. Recognizing their value can transform our perspective on life's challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience_and_care.htm">God's Omniscience and Care</a></b><br>Understanding that God knows us intimately and cares deeply for us can provide comfort and assurance in times of uncertainty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_god's_wisdom.htm">Reflecting on God's Wisdom</a></b><br>Regular meditation on the vastness of God's wisdom can lead to greater trust and reliance on His guidance in our daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_relationship_with_god.htm">Personal Relationship with God</a></b><br>This verse encourages believers to cultivate a personal relationship with God, appreciating His thoughts and plans for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/gratitude_for_god's_thoughts.htm">Gratitude for God's Thoughts</a></b><br>Developing a heart of gratitude for God's thoughts can lead to a more joyful and contented life.<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/bible's_view_on_sexual_misconduct.htm">Can the Bible help someone considering suicide?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_mention_telepathy.htm">What is the Bible's stance on telepathy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'precious_is_their_death'_mean.htm">What does "Precious is the death of His saints" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_job_6_2-3_literal_or_metaphorical.htm">In Job 6:2–3, does the claim that Job’s grief outweighs the sand of the seas present a literal impossibility or exaggerated metaphor? </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>(17) <span class= "bld">Precious.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">weighty, </span>the first meaning of the word. The parallelism requires this, as also the peculiar word for "thoughts," for which see <a href="/psalms/139-2.htm" title="You know my sitting down and my rising up, you understand my thought afar off.">Psalm 139:2</a>. We have here the antithesis to that verse: while the Divine penetration discovers the most intimate thought of man, man finds God's secrets incomprehensible.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/139.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God</span>! If God's works are admirable, and, therefore, precious, so still more are his thoughts - those deep counsels of his, which must have preceded all manifestation of himself in act or work. <span class="cmt_word">How great is the sum of them!</span> Were they all added together, how immeasurable would be the amount! What a treasure of wisdom and knowledge; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/139-17.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">How</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">precious to me</span><br /><span class="heb">יָּקְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·qə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3365.htm">Strong's 3365: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, valuable, to make rare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are Your thoughts,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘e·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine 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">O God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">how</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">vast</span><br /><span class="heb">עָ֝צְמוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ṣə·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6105.htm">Strong's 6105: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind fast, close, powerful, numerous, to crunch the bones</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is their sum!</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/139-17.htm">Psalm 139:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/139-17.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/139-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 139:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/139-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 139:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:18" /></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>