Psalms 139:15

KJV

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

My substance {H6108} was not hid {H3582} from thee, when I was made {H6213} in secret {H5643}, and curiously wrought {H7551} in the lowest parts {H8482} of the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

American Standard Version

My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 139:15 offers a profound declaration of God's intimate and exhaustive knowledge of human formation, even in its earliest and most hidden stages. The psalmist marvels at the divine precision and artistry involved in the creation of his very being, asserting that his physical substance and intricate development were never concealed from the all-seeing eyes of God, even within the secret confines of the womb. This verse underscores the deep personal relationship between the Creator and His creation, highlighting God's meticulous involvement in every individual's existence from conception.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 139 is a magnificent psalm of wisdom and praise, attributed to David, which systematically explores the attributes of God. The psalm opens with an awe-filled meditation on God's omniscience, detailing His complete knowledge of the psalmist's thoughts, words, and paths ([Psalms 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1 "Psalms 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience")). It then transitions to God's omnipresence, emphasizing that there is no place one can flee from His Spirit or presence, whether in heaven, Sheol, or the uttermost parts of the sea ([Psalms 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7 "Psalms 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence")). Verse 15 directly follows and expands upon the theme of God's intricate involvement in human creation, building on the declaration in [Psalms 139:13-14](/psalms/139-13 "Psalms 139:13-14 - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made") that God "knit me together in my mother's womb" and that the psalmist is "fearfully and wonderfully made." This verse, therefore, serves as a powerful testament to the divine hand in the very genesis of life, reinforcing the preceding verses' celebration of God's creative power and intimate knowledge.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, while the biological processes of conception and gestation were not understood with modern scientific precision, the mystery of life's formation within the womb was deeply acknowledged as a divine act. The womb was considered a sacred, hidden place where God alone worked His wonders. Unlike surrounding pagan cultures that might attribute life's origins to various deities or impersonal forces, Israelite theology consistently affirmed Yahweh as the sole Creator of all life, including human beings. This perspective imbued human life, from its earliest stages, with inherent dignity and sacredness, as it was directly fashioned by the Almighty. The imagery of "curiously wrought" (embroidered or woven) would have resonated deeply in a culture where textile arts were highly valued and understood as requiring immense skill, patience, and intricate design, further emphasizing the deliberate and artistic nature of God's creative work.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 139:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Intimacy**, demonstrating that God's knowledge extends not just to our actions and thoughts, but to our very physical formation from the moment of conception. This profound intimacy is echoed in prophetic declarations like [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - God's Foreknowledge of Jeremiah"), where God states, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." Secondly, the verse highlights the **Miracle of Human Creation** as a direct, personal act of God, not a random occurrence. The language used emphasizes the deliberate and purposeful design behind every individual life. Thirdly, the concept of being "curiously wrought" speaks to **God's Meticulous Handiwork**, portraying human beings as masterpieces of divine artistry, intricately designed and uniquely fashioned. This theme underscores the inherent value and uniqueness of each person as a creation of God, a sentiment foundational to understanding human dignity and worth throughout the biblical narrative, from the initial creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the new creation in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Substance (Hebrew, _ʻôtsem'_):** From the root meaning "power" or "might," this word in context refers to the physical body, the essential framework or "bones" of a person, even in its embryonic or fetal state. It denotes the very core, the robust structure of one's being, emphasizing that even this foundational element was not hidden from God. It conveys the idea of the developing physical entity, the nascent form of the individual.
* **Hid (Hebrew, _kâchad'_):** This primitive root means "to secrete, by act or word," or "to conceal." Its use here emphatically states that nothing about the psalmist's formation was unknown or invisible to God. Despite the hiddenness of the womb, God's gaze penetrated every stage of development, signifying His absolute transparency and intimate involvement in the creative process.
* **Curiously wrought (Hebrew, _râqam'_):** A primitive root meaning "to variegate color," "to embroider," or "to fabricate." This powerful verb conjures the image of a skilled artisan meticulously weaving a complex tapestry with diverse colors and patterns. It suggests that human formation is not a simple assembly of parts, but an intricate, detailed, and artistic work of divine craftsmanship, where every fiber and feature is intentionally designed and interwoven with precision and beauty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My substance was not hid from thee":** This opening clause immediately establishes God's comprehensive knowledge of the psalmist's physical being, even before it fully formed. The "substance" refers to the developing body, the skeletal and organic framework that would become a person. The declaration that it "was not hid from thee" asserts God's omnipresent and omniscient gaze penetrating the most concealed stages of human development, affirming that nothing about our origins is unknown to Him.
* **"when I was made in secret":** This phrase describes the context of human formation – the mother's womb. It is a "secret" place, hidden from human eyes, a realm of profound biological mystery. The word "made" (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_) signifies God's active, purposeful involvement in the creation process, emphasizing that He is the agent of this hidden work. It highlights the wonder of prenatal development as a divinely orchestrated process, occurring outside of human observation but fully within God's sight.
* **"and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth":** This climactic clause employs vivid imagery to describe the meticulous nature of God's creative work. "Curiously wrought" (Hebrew, _râqam'_) evokes the image of intricate embroidery or weaving, suggesting a highly detailed, artistic, and deliberate design process. The phrase "in the lowest parts of the earth" is a poetic **Metaphor** for the womb, symbolizing a deep, hidden, and foundational place. It draws a parallel between the deep, hidden places of the earth (like subterranean caverns or mines where precious things are formed) and the womb, reinforcing its sacred and mysterious nature as the site of divine creation. This imagery underscores the complexity, beauty, and intentionality of God's hand in fashioning each individual.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 139:15 is rich with literary devices that enhance its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly in the phrase "in the lowest parts of the earth," which serves as a powerful and poetic representation of the mother's womb. This metaphor emphasizes the hidden, foundational, and mysterious nature of prenatal development, likening it to the deep, concealed places where precious elements or intricate geological formations might occur. Furthermore, the phrase "curiously wrought" employs vivid **Imagery**, drawing on the craft of an embroiderer or weaver. This imagery conveys the idea that human life is not merely assembled but is intricately designed and artfully woven together by divine hands, suggesting precision, beauty, and deliberate purpose in every detail of our being. This also implies a degree of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like artistic skill and meticulousness to God, making His creative act more relatable and awe-inspiring. The entire verse uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize God's absolute omniscience, stating that *nothing* was hidden from Him, even in the most concealed and nascent stages of life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 139:15 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God and humanity. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous involvement in the creation of every human life, affirming that life is not accidental but divinely purposed and intricately designed from conception. This verse establishes the inherent dignity and value of every individual, as each is a unique masterpiece of God's handiwork, known and loved by Him even before birth. It speaks to God's omnipresence and omniscience extending to the most private and hidden aspects of our existence, providing a deep sense of security and belonging. The imagery of "curiously wrought" elevates human creation to an art form, highlighting God's creative genius and personal investment in each person.

* [Jeremiah 1:5](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5 - God's Foreknowledge of Jeremiah")
* [Isaiah 44:24](/isaiah/44-24 "Isaiah 44:24 - God as Creator from the Womb")
* [Exodus 26:36](/exodus/26-36 "Exodus 26:36 - Embroidered Work in the Tabernacle")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 139:15 provides immense comfort and a foundational truth for personal identity and worth. To know that our "substance was not hid" from God, and that we were "curiously wrought" by Him in the deepest secrecy, transforms our understanding of ourselves. It means our existence is not a random occurrence but a deliberate, artistic act of the divine Creator. This truth instills profound confidence, reminding us that we are known, seen, and valued by God from our very beginnings. It calls us to embrace our unique design, recognizing that every detail of our being was intentionally fashioned by a loving and infinitely wise God. Furthermore, this verse has significant implications for the sanctity of life, affirming that life, from conception onward, is sacred because it is a direct product of God's creative hand. It challenges us to view ourselves and others with the same reverence and value that God places upon His intricate handiwork, fostering humility, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the miracle of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of being "curiously wrought" by God impact your self-perception and sense of worth?**
* **In what ways does knowing God intimately knew you "when you were made in secret" bring you comfort or challenge?**
* **How might this verse influence your perspective on the sanctity of human life at all stages?**
* **What does the imagery of God as an "embroiderer" or "weaver" of your being reveal about His character?**

### FAQ
**What does "lowest parts of the earth" mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "lowest parts of the earth" is a poetic metaphor for the mother's womb. It does not refer to a literal subterranean location, but rather to the deep, hidden, and private place where human life is conceived and developed. This imagery emphasizes the profound mystery and secrecy of prenatal formation, yet simultaneously highlights that even in this most concealed space, God's presence and meticulous creative work are fully active and visible to Him. It draws a parallel between the hidden depths of the earth, where precious things might be formed, and the sacred, life-giving environment of the womb.

**Does Psalms 139:15 support the sanctity of life from conception?**

Answer: Yes, Psalms 139:15 is widely understood to strongly support the sanctity of life from conception. By declaring that the psalmist's "substance was not hid" from God and that he was "curiously wrought" (intricately designed and fashioned) while "made in secret" within the womb, the verse emphasizes God's personal and active involvement in the formation of an individual from its earliest stages. This implies that human life, even in its embryonic or fetal state, is known, valued, and purposed by God, thus possessing inherent dignity and sacredness from its very beginning. This divine perspective on the origins of life provides a powerful biblical foundation for affirming the value of all human life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 139:15, with its profound declaration of God's intimate and artistic involvement in human creation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is not merely the subject of God's meticulous creation, but the very agent and blueprint of it. [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Him") declares that "by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." Thus, the divine hand that "curiously wrought" the psalmist in the womb is none other than the pre-existent Son, the Word through whom all things came into being ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")). Moreover, Christ perfectly embodies the "substance" of humanity, meticulously formed and without blemish, taking on flesh in the womb of Mary ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Luke 1:35 - The Holy Spirit and Mary's Conception")). He is the ultimate "curiously wrought" masterpiece, the perfect image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), fully human yet without sin, uniquely designed to reconcile humanity to God. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Christ not only validates the sacredness of human life from its very beginning but also offers the promise of a new creation, where those who are "in Christ" become new creations, intricately remade by the Holy Spirit for God's purposes ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Thus, the wonder of our initial creation in the womb points forward to the even greater wonder of our spiritual recreation in Christ, where we are perfectly known and perfectly remade by our Divine Creator.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Psalms 139:13

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Job 10:8

¶ Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

Job 10:11

Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.

Psalms 63:9

But those [that] seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

Ephesians 4:9

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Exodus 11:5

And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.