Psalm 139—God’s Omniscience (7)

What a miracle it was for Nathanael that Jesus revealed Himself to him as the omniscient God: “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee” (John 1:48). I am acquainted with all thy ways, Nathanael. I beset thee behind and before. I heard thy longing for the coming of the King. Behold, here I am! Have I not put My hand on thee from eternity for thy salvation? I will never let thee go again even if thou lettest Me go a thousand times. Never will I cease to love thee, though thou wilt ask for it time and again—My ransom for thee is without repentance. Thou hast seen a great thing; thou wilt see greater things.

After the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and felt that she was healed of her sickness, Jesus turned around to the multitude and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” How deeply these words moved that woman! They were the very same words she had spoken in her heart at home as if softly spoken to herself, “If I may touch but His clothes…” She had spoken these very words—so did the Lord Jesus (Mark 5:28b, 30b). Do you know about being told from the pulpit exactly what was in your heart during the past week? Were your questions, which filled your heart and mind, answered so precisely in the sermon that it seemed you had submitted those questions to the preacher shortly before the service? Oh, how such a soul is then assured that the omniscient God knows about him in His favor.

Although I poor and needy be,

The Lord in love takes thought for me;

Thou art my help in time of need.

(Psalter 112:4)

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me

David was amazed in his Covenant God. Led by the good Spirit, this child contemplated the glory of his Father, knowing that he was hidden in the promised Messiah— David’s great Son, whose perfect righteousness and holiness had been bestowed and imputed to him.

God’s virtues were for David; also, God’s omniscience was for him. The more he contemplated this, the sweeter the communion became for him. The more he was led into that secret, the more wonderful the wonder became. This vessel was too small to contain that fullness. This peace passed all understanding. Therefore, he said, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me”; it cannot be searched out by me. Its breadth and length and depth I shall never know. I will no longer try to climb that height—I will not reach it, though I may taste it, resting in Thee.

Thus, God became everything and David a blessed nothing. “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David!”

What psalm?

Often Psalm 139 was not sung by David; then other sounds were heard.

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.”

• “Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation” (Psalm 5:1).

• “O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure” (Psalm 6:1).

• “Help, LORD…” (Psalm 12:1).

• “How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?” (Psalm 13:1-2a).

Did it ever become a miracle for you that the chief musician also sang in this manner? When you were turned upside down with everything and could no longer distinguish black from white, there still appeared to be a companion in the Scriptures.

Have you also been drawn out of the impossibilities in order to find another impossibility—a blessed impossibility? To the chief Musician, A Psalm. “O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off…Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”

Psalm 139 learned by renewal

Joab, his servants, and all Israel had gone out to besiege Rabba of the children of Ammon (2 Samuel 11:1). David had stayed in Jerusalem, taking it easy. It was better that way. He was getting older, the dangers were great, the enemy crafty…

Toward evening, after having rested a while, the poet of Psalm 139 rose from his bed, went to the roof of the king’s house, and walked a little to and fro. Pleasant was the cool breeze, beautiful the view… Did he ponder, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off” and that the greatest enemy was within? His eyes looked, and…did they turn away?

Ah, who does not know this history? It is mentioned so often that it seems to be the only thing about David in God’s Word, but—thanks be to God—there is also a sequel. For David it would have been lost forever if the Lord had not let him know that Psalm 139 was always true, even when he lived as if that psalm did not exist.

David learned Psalm 139 by renewal, but now as a deeply guilty man before God. Oh, when grace begins to reign!

Therefore, and for this reason alone, he also wrote that other song, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God…” (Psalm 51:1-3).

Has Nathan ever been sent to you, also? Do you know Psalm 51, also a psalm to the chief Musician?

(To be continued)

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