Psalms 139:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 139:18 profoundly expresses the psalmist's awe at the immeasurable nature of God's thoughts concerning him and the comforting reality of God's unbroken, intimate presence. It highlights a divine attentiveness so vast that it exceeds human comprehension, extending even through the unconsciousness of sleep, ensuring that upon waking, the believer remains enveloped in God's enduring companionship and care. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's personal and ceaseless engagement with His creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 139 is a magnificent meditation on God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence, often attributed to David. The psalm begins with the psalmist's astonishment at God's complete knowledge of his innermost being and outward actions, as seen in [Psalms 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1 "Psalms 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience"). It then transitions to God's inescapable presence, from which no one can flee, whether in heaven, Sheol, or the farthest reaches of the sea, as beautifully articulated in [Psalms 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7 "Psalms 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence"). The narrative then moves to God's intricate creation of the psalmist in the womb, where every day was foreordained before it began ([Psalms 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13 "Psalms 139:13-16 - God's Omnipote nce in Creation")). Verse 17 directly precedes 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 explicitly refers to these "precious thoughts" of God, emphasizing their countless nature and the psalmist's continuous awareness of God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, including Israel, often used natural phenomena like sand, stars, or dust to denote an immeasurable quantity, particularly in divine promises of numerous descendants (e.g., Abraham's seed). This idiom would have been immediately understood by the original audience as signifying something beyond human counting or comprehension. The concept of a personal, relational God who actively thinks about individuals was a distinctive feature of Israelite monotheism, contrasting sharply with the often capricious or distant deities of surrounding pagan cultures. For an individual in this context, the idea of a God who is intimately aware of their every moment, even through the vulnerability of sleep, would have provided immense comfort and security, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 139 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Innumerable Thoughts and Infinite Care**. The comparison to "sand" is not merely hyperbole but a profound statement about the vastness and constancy of divine attention directed towards the individual. It suggests a God who is not merely generally aware but specifically, intimately, and perpetually focused on His children, echoing themes of divine providence found throughout the [Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms - Songs and Prayers"). Secondly, the phrase "when I awake, I am still with thee" highlights **Constant Divine Presence and Unbroken Communion**. This speaks to a relationship that transcends the boundaries of conscious awareness, implying that God's presence is not interrupted by sleep or the passage of time. It offers a profound sense of security and belonging, reinforcing the truth that God is an ever-present help in trouble, as declared in [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalms 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Lastly, the verse emphasizes **Profound Intimacy and Personal Relationship with God**. It moves beyond general theological statements about God's attributes to a deeply personal experience of His love and attentiveness, a theme central to the covenant relationship established by God with His people, as seen from [Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis - Beginnings") onward.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **count (Hebrew, _çâphar'_):** From H5608, this verb means "to score with a mark as a tally or record," and by implication, "to inscribe" or "to enumerate." It speaks to the act of numbering, reckoning, or recounting. In this context, it highlights the human attempt to quantify something that is, by divine design, beyond calculation, emphasizing the psalmist's futile effort to grasp the sheer volume of God's thoughts.
* **sand (Hebrew, _chôwl'_):** From H2344, referring to "sand" as round or whirling particles. In biblical idiom, "sand" frequently symbolizes an immeasurable, countless multitude, often used in divine promises concerning descendants (e.g., [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Here, it serves as a powerful metaphor for the infinite number of God's thoughts concerning the psalmist, conveying an overwhelming sense of divine focus and care.
* **still (Hebrew, _ʻôwd'_):** From H5750, this adverb denotes "iteration or continuance," meaning "again," "repeatedly," or "yet." Its use here ("I am still with thee") emphasizes the unbroken, persistent nature of God's presence. It conveys the idea that even after the unconscious state of sleep, the reality of God's nearness remains unchanged and immediately apparent upon waking, signifying an enduring and constant communion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:"** This clause expresses the psalmist's attempt, and immediate realization of the impossibility, of quantifying God's thoughts. The "them" refers directly back to "thy thoughts" from [Psalms 139:17](/psalms/139-17 "Psalms 139:17 - God's Precious Thoughts"). The comparison to "sand" is a powerful hyperbole, conveying an immeasurable quantity that utterly overwhelms any human capacity for enumeration. It underscores the vastness, intricacy, and continuous nature of God's detailed attention to the individual.
* **"when I awake, I am still with thee."** This second clause shifts from the incomprehensible quantity of God's thoughts to the comforting reality of His constant presence. It speaks to the continuity of communion with God, even through the unconsciousness of sleep. Upon waking, the psalmist's immediate consciousness is filled with the enduring reality of God's nearness, implying an unbroken relationship and a profound sense of security and belonging that transcends the boundaries of time and state of being.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 139:18 employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "more in number than the sand," which exaggerates the quantity of God's thoughts to emphasize their immeasurability and overwhelming abundance. This is coupled with **Simile**, as God's thoughts are directly compared to the countless grains of sand, creating a vivid image of infinite detail and care. The verse also utilizes **Imagery**, evoking the tangible sense of sand and the universal experience of waking from sleep, making the abstract concept of God's thoughts and presence relatable. Furthermore, there's a subtle **Contrast** between the human act of counting (a finite endeavor) and the divine reality of immeasurable thoughts, highlighting the vast difference between human limitation and divine infinitude. Finally, the declaration "I am still with thee" serves as a profound statement of **Affirmation** and **Assurance**, reinforcing the psalmist's unwavering faith in God's perpetual companionship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 139:18 is a profound theological statement on God's character, revealing His exhaustive knowledge, boundless love, and unwavering presence. It establishes that God's engagement with humanity is not sporadic or superficial but deeply personal, constant, and immeasurable. This truth underpins the doctrine of divine providence, assuring believers that they are never outside of God's watchful eye and caring heart. It challenges any notion of a distant or indifferent deity, instead portraying a God who is intimately involved in every moment of our existence, whose thoughts towards us are not merely numerous but also "precious" ([Psalms 139:17](/psalms/139-17 "Psalms 139:17 - God's Precious Thoughts")). This understanding cultivates a deep sense of security, significance, and profound gratitude, fostering a relationship built on trust and worship.

* [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")
* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29 "Matthew 10:29-31 - God's Knowledge of Sparrows and Hair")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and profound reassurance in a world that often leaves individuals feeling insignificant, forgotten, or alone. To know that the Creator of the universe has an immeasurable number of precious thoughts about *you* transforms one's understanding of self-worth and divine love. It means that even in moments of solitude, anxiety, or unconsciousness, God's attentive presence never wavers. This truth invites us to live with a heightened awareness of God's nearness, finding solace in His unending care and purpose in His constant thoughts. It encourages us to approach each day, and even the act of waking, with a conscious recognition of His enduring companionship, fostering a deeper sense of security, prompting worship, and motivating us to live lives that honor such intimate divine love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God having "more thoughts than the sand" about you impact your sense of personal value and significance?**
* **What practical difference does it make in your daily life to know that "when you awake, you are still with God"?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's constant presence and innumerable thoughts about you throughout your day?**
* **How might this verse challenge any feelings of loneliness or insignificance you sometimes experience?**

### FAQ

**What does "more in number than the sand" signify in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "more in number than the sand" is an ancient idiom used to convey an immeasurable, countless quantity. In this context, it signifies the overwhelming abundance and infinite nature of God's thoughts concerning the psalmist. It's not just that God thinks about us, but that His thoughts are perpetually focused, detailed, and beyond our comprehension in their vastness, highlighting His meticulous and ceaseless care. This idiom is also used in other biblical contexts, such as God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the [sand on the seashore or the stars in the sky](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Abraham").

**How does "when I awake, I am still with thee" relate to God's presence?**

Answer: This clause speaks to the unbroken continuity of God's presence and the psalmist's communion with Him. 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. It underscores the truth that God's relationship with His children is not interrupted by time or state of being, but is constant and unwavering, reflecting His promise to never leave or forsake us, as seen in [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave Us").

**Is this verse only about the psalmist, or does it apply to all believers?**

Answer: While the psalm is a personal meditation by the psalmist, its profound truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity are universally applicable to all believers. The God who knew and cared for the psalmist with such intimacy is the same God who knows and cares for every individual who trusts in Him. The principles of God's omniscience, omnipresence, and personal love are foundational to the Christian faith, making this verse a source of comfort and assurance for all who seek Him. The New Testament affirms God's detailed knowledge of His creation, even down to the number of hairs on our heads ([Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")), reinforcing the personal and comprehensive nature of His care for each of His children.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 139:18 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The immeasurable thoughts of God, too numerous to count, are perfectly embodied and revealed in the person of Christ. He is the express image of God's being, the Word made flesh, through whom God's infinite wisdom, love, and intricate knowledge are made manifest ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). Furthermore, the psalmist's declaration, "when I awake, I am still with thee," points forward to the ultimate reality of God's constant presence with humanity through Emmanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Prophecy of Emmanuel")). In Christ, God's presence is not just a comforting thought but a living, indwelling reality for believers through the Holy Spirit ([John 14:16-18](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-18 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Jesus promises His disciples, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")), echoing and expanding upon the psalmist's experience of unbroken communion. Through Christ's atoning work, the intimate relationship longed for by the psalmist is fully restored, allowing believers to truly be "with God" in a way that transcends even death, culminating in the eternal reality where God will dwell with His people, and they "shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God" ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")).

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

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

¶ 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.