Psalms 139:18

[If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

If I should count {H5608} them, they are more in number {H7235} than the sand {H2344}: when I awake {H6974}, I am still {H5750} with thee.

If I count them, there are more than grains of sand; if I finish the count, I am still with you.

If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.

Commentary

Psalms 139:18 (KJV) continues the psalmist's profound meditation on God's intimate knowledge and constant presence. This verse captures the overwhelming nature of God's thoughts concerning the individual and the comforting reality of His unbroken companionship.

Context

Psalm 139 is a masterpiece of divine revelation, attributed to David, showcasing God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. Leading up to verse 18, the psalmist marvels at how God knit him together in his mother's womb and knew all his days before they even began. Verse 17 sets the stage for our verse, declaring, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" Thus, "them" in verse 18 refers directly to these innumerable and precious thoughts of God towards the psalmist.

Key Themes

  • God's Innumerable Thoughts: The phrase "more in number than the sand" is a powerful ancient idiom signifying an immeasurable, uncountable quantity. It highlights the sheer volume and constant nature of God's thoughts concerning His children. It's not just that God thinks of us, but that His thoughts are perpetually focused, detailed, and beyond our comprehension in their vastness. This resonates with the idea found in Psalms 40:5, where God's thoughts towards us are "more than can be numbered."
  • Constant Divine Presence: "When I awake, I am still with thee" speaks to the unbroken communion the psalmist experiences with God. It implies that even through the unconsciousness of sleep, God's presence remains. Upon waking, the first conscious thought is the enduring reality of God's nearness, providing immense comfort and security. This echoes the promise of Jesus' perpetual presence with His followers.
  • Profound Intimacy and Care: This verse underscores a deeply personal and intimate relationship. It's not just about God's general oversight of humanity, but His specific, constant, and loving focus on the individual. It reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent, but actively engaged in every moment of our existence.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "sand" (Χ—Χ•ΦΉΧœ - chol) is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote an immense, countless multitude, often in the context of divine promises (e.g., the descendants of Abraham). The phrase "when I awake, I am still with thee" emphasizes a continuity of being in God's presence, implying that the relationship is not interrupted by sleep or the passage of time.

Practical Application

Psalms 139:18 offers profound comfort and reassurance. In a world that often makes individuals feel small or insignificant, this verse reminds us that we are constantly in God's thoughts, and His presence never leaves us. It encourages us to live with an awareness of His nearness, finding solace in His unending care. It transforms our understanding of God from a distant deity to an ever-present, intimately involved Father who is always thinking of us, even when we are unaware. This understanding can foster a deeper sense of security, purpose, and worship.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 3:5

    I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

  • Psalms 139:3

    Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.

  • Psalms 40:5

    Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

  • Psalms 16:8

    ΒΆ I have set the LORD always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

  • Psalms 16:11

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

  • Psalms 17:15

    As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

  • Psalms 63:6

    When I remember thee upon my bed, [and] meditate on thee in the [night] watches.
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