Psalms 139:2

KJV

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou knowest {H3045} my downsitting {H3427} and mine uprising {H6965}, thou understandest {H995} my thought {H7454} afar off {H7350}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You know when I sit and when I stand up, you discern my inclinations from afar,

Berean Standard Bible

You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar.

American Standard Version

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 139:2 beautifully encapsulates the Psalmist's profound realization of God's exhaustive and intimate knowledge of humanity. Following the declaration that God has "searched" and "known" him, this verse elaborates on the depth of divine understanding, asserting that God is aware of every physical action, from rest to movement, and comprehends every thought, even before it fully forms or from a distance. It presents a breathtaking picture of a God who is not merely observant but deeply, personally acquainted with the entirety of an individual's existence, both outward and inward.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 139 opens with a direct address to God, establishing the central theme of divine omniscience and omnipresence. Verse 1 declares, "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me." Verse 2 immediately expands on this by providing concrete examples of this searching and knowing: God's awareness of "downsitting and uprising" and "thought afar off." This verse sets the stage for the subsequent exploration of God's omnipresence (e.g., [Psalm 139:7-10](/psalms/139-7-10 "Psalm 139:7-10 - God's Omnipresence")), His omnipotence in creation (e.g., [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalms/139-13-16 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Creative Power")), and the Psalmist's ultimate plea for divine guidance and purification (e.g., [Psalm 139:23-24](/psalms/139-23-24 "Psalm 139:23-24 - A Prayer for Purity")). Verse 2 is thus a foundational statement, illustrating the practical, moment-by-moment reality of God's all-encompassing knowledge of the individual.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to King David, Psalm 139 reflects a deep theological understanding of God characteristic of Israelite wisdom literature. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often sought to know everything about their subjects, but their knowledge was limited. The Psalmist's declaration here contrasts sharply with human limitations, portraying Yahweh as a uniquely transcendent yet immanent deity. The concept of a deity knowing one's thoughts was rare and profound, often associated with divine judgment or prophetic insight. For an Israelite, the understanding that God knew their "downsitting and uprising" would resonate with the rhythms of daily life, from working in the fields to resting at home, emphasizing that no aspect of their existence was outside God's purview. This intimate knowledge formed the basis for both covenant faithfulness and personal relationship, fostering both reverence and trust.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 139:2 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. The most prominent theme is **Divine Omniscience**, God's perfect and complete knowledge of all things. This verse demonstrates that God's knowledge is not merely general but intensely particular, extending to every action and every internal thought. This is echoed in passages like [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God"), which states that "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Secondly, the verse highlights **Intimate Personal Knowledge**. "My downsitting and mine uprising" signifies God's awareness of every routine, every transition, and every aspect of daily life, emphasizing a personal relationship where the Creator is deeply attentive to the individual. Finally, the phrase "thou understandest my thought afar off" introduces the theme of **Pre-cognition of Thought**. This suggests God's knowledge is not reactive but proactive, knowing intentions and thoughts even before they are fully formed or expressed, or from a perspective that transcends human limitations. This profound insight into the human heart is a recurring biblical theme, as seen in [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - God Searches the Heart and Tests the Mind"), where God declares, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knowest (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to know," but encompassing a great variety of senses beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It implies knowing by experience, observation, care, recognition, and even intimate relationship. In this context, it conveys God's comprehensive, experiential, and personal acquaintance with the Psalmist, not just a detached awareness. It is a deep, relational knowing.
* **downsitting (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** A primitive root meaning "to sit down," which by implication can mean to dwell, to remain, or to settle. Here, "downsitting" represents moments of rest, quietude, planning, and even vulnerability. Paired with "uprising," it forms a comprehensive picture of all states of being and activity.
* **uprising (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** A primitive root meaning "to rise," "to stand up," or "to establish." In conjunction with "downsitting," "uprising" signifies moments of activity, movement, beginning a task, or embarking on a journey. Together, "downsitting and uprising" idiomatically represent the entirety of human existence and daily routine, from the moment one wakes to the moment one rests.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising":** This clause reveals God's intimate awareness of every physical posture and transition in the Psalmist's life. "Downsitting" refers to moments of rest, contemplation, or settling down, while "uprising" signifies activity, movement, and beginning. Together, they form a **merism**, a literary device where two contrasting parts represent the whole. Here, they encapsulate the entirety of human existence and daily routine—from waking to sleeping, from inactivity to action, every single moment and movement is known by God. This speaks to God's constant, vigilant, and personal attention to the individual's life.
* **"thou understandest my thought afar off":** This second clause shifts from outward actions to the inner world of the mind. The Hebrew word for "understandest" (bîyn) implies discernment and comprehension. God not only knows what we do but also what we think. The noun "thought" (rêaʻ) refers to a purpose or concept, pointing to the inner workings of the mind—the intentions, deliberations, and nascent ideas that precede action. The phrase "afar off" (râchôwq) emphasizes the transcendent nature of this knowledge. It could mean God knows thoughts even before they are fully formed, from a distance (implying no need for proximity or verbalization), or that God's knowledge is so comprehensive that even our most hidden or distant thoughts are perfectly clear to Him. This highlights God's omniscience extending to the deepest recesses of human consciousness, including intentions, motives, and unexpressed desires.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 139:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Merism**, seen in the phrase "my downsitting and mine uprising." By mentioning these two opposite activities, the Psalmist encompasses the totality of human experience – every action, every state of being, from rest to movement, from the beginning of the day to its end. This device effectively communicates the *comprehensiveness* of God's knowledge. Furthermore, the phrase "thou understandest my thought afar off" utilizes **Hyperbole** and **Anthropomorphism**. While God does not literally perceive thoughts "from a distance" in a spatial sense like humans do, the imagery exaggerates the immediacy and completeness of His knowledge, making it relatable to human experience. It emphasizes that no thought, however nascent or hidden, escapes God's awareness. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism** in its structure, with the two clauses reinforcing the central idea of God's all-encompassing knowledge, first of external actions and then of internal thoughts, building a complete picture of divine intimacy and omniscience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 139:2 serves as a foundational declaration of God's omniscience and His profound, personal engagement with His creation. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not a distant, impersonal deity but one who is intimately acquainted with every detail of our lives, from our physical movements to our most private thoughts. This knowledge is not merely observational but deeply understanding, reflecting His character as a God who truly "knows" us in a relational sense. This comprehensive divine awareness forms the basis for both comfort and accountability, assuring believers of God's constant presence and care, while also reminding them that all aspects of their being are exposed before Him, encouraging a life of integrity and sincerity.

* [Jeremiah 17:10](/jeremiah/17-10 "Jeremiah 17:10 - God Searches the Heart and Tests the Mind")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God's Eyes")
* [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Psalms 139:2 offers both immense comfort and a sobering challenge to the believer. To know that the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, is intimately aware of every single moment of our lives—our rest, our activity, our deepest thoughts and intentions—is a source of unparalleled security. We are never truly alone, never misunderstood, and never beyond His watchful care. This knowledge can foster a deeper sense of trust and intimacy in our relationship with God, encouraging us to bring our whole selves, without pretense, before Him. Conversely, this verse also calls us to a higher standard of living. Since our every thought and action is known by God, it encourages us to cultivate purity of heart, integrity in our conduct, and alignment of our inner motivations with His divine will. There is no hiding from God, which can be a convicting truth, yet it ultimately liberates us from the burden of secrecy and invites us into genuine, transparent faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the knowledge of God's intimate awareness of your "downsitting and uprising" impact your daily activities and routines?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God "understandest your thought afar off" challenge or comfort you?**
* **How can embracing God's complete knowledge of you lead to greater authenticity and integrity in your life?**
* **What specific areas of your life (actions or thoughts) might you need to surrender more fully to God's knowing gaze?**

### FAQ

**What does "downsitting and uprising" truly mean in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "downsitting and uprising" is a Hebrew **merism**, a literary device where two contrasting parts are used to represent the whole. "Downsitting" refers to moments of rest, quietude, or settling down, while "uprising" refers to moments of activity, movement, and beginning. Together, they comprehensively encompass the entirety of human existence, every action, every state of being, and every transition throughout a day or a lifetime. It means God is aware of everything you do, from the moment you wake up and get out of bed to the moment you sit down to rest or sleep, and every activity in between. It signifies God's complete and continuous knowledge of your outward life.

**How can God understand my "thought afar off"? Does this mean He knows what I'm thinking before I do?**

Answer: The phrase "thou understandest my thought afar off" highlights the transcendent and immediate nature of God's omniscience regarding our inner world. "Afar off" can be interpreted in several ways, all pointing to the profound depth of God's knowledge. It can mean that God knows your thoughts even before they are fully formed in your mind, or from a perspective that transcends time and space, requiring no proximity or verbalization. It underscores that no thought, no intention, no hidden motive, however nascent or seemingly private, is beyond God's immediate and perfect comprehension. This divine understanding is not limited by human constraints and is a testament to God's infinite wisdom and insight into the human heart, as seen in [1 Chronicles 28:9](/1_chronicles/28-9 "1 Chronicles 28:9 - God Searches All Hearts").

**Is God's intimate knowledge of me a source of comfort or fear?**

Answer: For the believer, God's intimate knowledge, as described in Psalms 139:2, is primarily a profound source of comfort and security. It assures us that we are fully known, understood, and cared for by our Creator, even in our deepest struggles and unexpressed desires. This knowledge fosters a deep sense of intimacy and trust, as we realize we can bring our whole selves before Him without pretense or fear of misunderstanding. However, it also carries a **sobering aspect** that can lead to a healthy fear of the Lord. Knowing that God sees and understands our every thought and action encourages us to live with integrity, to strive for purity of heart, and to align our intentions with His will. It reminds us of our accountability before a holy God, which, for the one who desires to please Him, ultimately leads to greater freedom and liberation from hidden sin, as [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Exposed to God") reminds us that "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound omniscience of God revealed in Psalms 139:2 finds its ultimate and most tangible fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. As the incarnate Son of God, Jesus perfectly embodies the divine attributes, including the all-encompassing knowledge of the Father. Throughout the Gospels, we see Christ demonstrating this very knowledge: He knew the thoughts of the scribes and Pharisees (e.g., [Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts")), He discerned the true character and past of individuals like the Samaritan woman at the well (e.g., [John 4:17-19](/john/4-17-19 "John 4:17-19 - Jesus Knew Her Past")), and He knew Nathanael's heart and location even before meeting him (e.g., [John 1:48](/john/1-48 "John 1:48 - Jesus Knew Nathanael Under the Fig Tree")). John's Gospel explicitly states that Jesus "knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man" ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). This intimate knowledge of humanity, encompassing both our "downsitting and uprising" and our "thoughts afar off," is not merely for judgment but is foundational to His redemptive work. Because Christ fully knows our brokenness, our struggles, and our deepest needs, He is perfectly positioned to offer the grace, forgiveness, and transformation we desperately require. His omniscience is thus a comforting truth, assuring us that the One who died for us fully understands every facet of our being and every sin we commit, yet loves us unconditionally and offers complete salvation.

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

Matthew 9:4

And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

2 Kings 19:27

But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

Psalms 94:11

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.

Luke 9:47

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

John 2:24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],

John 2:25

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Isaiah 37:28

But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.