Psalms 139:5

KJV

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast beset {H6696} me behind {H268} and before {H6924}, and laid {H7896} thine hand {H3709} upon me.

Complete Jewish Bible

You have hemmed me in both behind and in front and laid your hand on me.

Berean Standard Bible

You hem me in behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me.

American Standard Version

Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 139:5 offers a profound declaration of God's intimate and inescapable presence in the life of the psalmist. It encapsulates the awe-inspiring reality of a sovereign God who is not distant or detached, but actively engaged, surrounding, and personally involved in every dimension of human existence, knowing and upholding us from all sides.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 139 stands as a magnificent hymn of praise to God's omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence, particularly as these attributes relate to the individual. The preceding verses, [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Perfect Knowledge"), establish God's exhaustive knowledge of the psalmist's thoughts, words, and actions, even before they occur. This sets the stage for verse 5, which shifts from God's knowing *what* the psalmist does to God's surrounding *where* the psalmist is. The transition emphasizes the inescapable nature of divine awareness and active presence, moving from internal knowledge to external encirclement, thereby reinforcing the theme of God's total involvement in every aspect of life. This verse serves as a powerful bridge, connecting God's intellectual grasp of humanity to His physical and protective presence, leading into the psalmist's reflection on the impossibility of escaping God's Spirit or presence in [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - The Inescapable Presence of God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While attributed to David, the psalm reflects a timeless theological understanding of God's nature, deeply rooted in Israelite monotheism. The imagery of being "beset behind and before" evokes the protective posture of a warrior or a shepherd, encompassing and guarding. The "laying on of hands" was a common cultural gesture in ancient Israel, signifying various actions: blessing (as seen in [Genesis 48:14](/genesis/48-14 "Genesis 48:14 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh")), commissioning (e.g., [Numbers 27:18](/numbers/27-18 "Numbers 27:18 - Moses Lays Hands on Joshua")), healing, or even ownership and authority. In this context, it speaks to God's direct, personal, and authoritative involvement in the psalmist's life, implying both tender care and sovereign control. The emphasis on God's presence in all directions (behind and before) also subtly counters pagan notions of localized deities, affirming the God of Israel as truly omnipresent, filling heaven and earth, as articulated in [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 139 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Omnipresence and Enclosure** is paramount, illustrating that God completely surrounds the psalmist, leaving no direction untouched by His presence. This is not merely passive observation but active enclosure, suggesting both protection and intimate involvement. Secondly, the theme of **God's Active Hand and Sovereignty** is highlighted by the phrase "laid thine hand upon me," signifying God's direct, personal, and authoritative engagement. This divine touch speaks to God's benevolent control and tender care over David's life, echoing promises of divine upholding found in passages like [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Upholding Hand"). Thirdly, the verse underscores **Intimacy and Security** for the believer. This complete encirclement and personal touch from God offers immense comfort, assuring that God is not just aware but actively present and involved in every moment, providing both guidance and protection against all adversaries, a theme often found in the Psalms, such as [Psalm 91](/psalms/91 "Psalm 91 - God Our Refuge and Fortress").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **beset (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** From H6696, meaning "to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile); adversary, assault, besiege, bind (up), fortify, inclose." Here, it conveys the sense of being completely surrounded or hemmed in by God. It implies an inescapable presence, which can be understood as either protective encirclement or a confining, inescapable awareness, depending on the psalmist's perspective (though in this psalm, it leans heavily towards comfort and security).
* **behind (Hebrew, _ʼâchôwr'_):** From H268, meaning "the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without." This word denotes the past, or what is behind us, indicating that God's presence encompasses our history and what has already transpired.
* **before (Hebrew, _qedem'_):** From H6924, meaning "the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward); aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past." This word refers to the future, or what lies ahead, signifying God's encompassing presence over our destiny and what is yet to come. Together with "behind," it forms a comprehensive statement about God's eternal and all-encompassing presence.
* **hand (Hebrew, _kaph'_):** From H3709, meaning "the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power." This term emphasizes the personal, active, and powerful involvement of God. The "laying on of hands" signifies direct contact, authority, protection, and a personal touch of sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast beset me behind and before":** This clause vividly portrays God's omnipresent and encompassing nature. The psalmist declares that God has completely surrounded him, not just spatially, but temporally. "Behind" refers to the past, encompassing all of life's history, experiences, and origins. "Before" refers to the future, including all that is yet to come, all plans, and destiny. Thus, God's presence is not limited to the present moment but extends over the entirety of one's existence—past, present, and future. The verb "beset" (tsûwr) implies a deliberate, active encirclement, suggesting both protection and an inescapable awareness.
* **"and laid thine hand upon me":** This second clause personalizes God's omnipresence. The "laying of hands" is an anthropomorphism, attributing a human action to God to convey a profound theological truth. It signifies God's direct, personal, and authoritative touch. This touch can denote ownership, blessing, guidance, protection, or even sovereign control. In the context of the preceding declaration of omnipresence, it suggests that God's pervasive presence is not abstract but intimately involved, actively shaping, upholding, and caring for the psalmist. It conveys a sense of divine embrace and personal guardianship.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 139:5 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological message. The phrase "behind and before" is a classic example of **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent a whole. By mentioning the two extremes (past and future, or all directions), the psalmist implies God's presence in *every* aspect and *every* moment of existence. This creates a sense of comprehensive encirclement and inescapable divine awareness. The concept of God "laying His hand" upon the psalmist is a powerful **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human body part and action (a hand and the act of laying it) to God. This device makes the abstract concept of God's sovereignty and intimacy tangible and relatable, emphasizing His personal involvement rather than a distant, detached oversight. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Metaphor** for God's pervasive care and control. The imagery of being "beset" and "laid hands upon" is not literal in a physical sense but serves as a rich symbolic representation of God's protective, guiding, and sovereign presence that surrounds and upholds the individual from all sides.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of God's omnipresence and His personal sovereignty over human lives. It teaches that God is not merely present everywhere in a general sense, but He is intimately and actively involved in the minutiae of our existence, encompassing our past, present, and future. This divine encirclement provides profound security for the believer, knowing that no circumstance, no thought, and no moment is outside of God's knowledge or His protective hand. It transforms the concept of an all-knowing God from a potentially intimidating truth into a source of immense comfort and assurance, fostering deep trust and reverence.

* [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Upholding Hand")
* [Deuteronomy 33:27](/deuteronomy/33-27 "Deuteronomy 33:27 - The Eternal God Is Your Dwelling Place")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding that God has "beset" us "behind and before" and "laid His hand upon" us is a truth that should profoundly shape our daily lives. It means we are never truly alone, never outside of His watchful eye, and never beyond His reach. This reality offers immense comfort in times of fear, uncertainty, or loneliness, reminding us that our God is our ultimate shield and guide, actively involved in every step of our journey. It also serves as a gentle, yet firm, reminder of our accountability, for nothing is hidden from Him. This verse encourages a life of complete reliance on God's omnipresent care and sovereign plan, fostering deep trust and reverence for the Creator who knows us more intimately than we know ourselves. It calls us to live with an awareness of His constant presence, influencing our choices, words, and attitudes, and inspiring us to live in a manner pleasing to Him, knowing that His hand is always upon us for good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God "besetting" you behind and before bring you comfort or challenge?**
* **In what specific areas of your life (past, present, or future) do you most need to acknowledge God's sovereign hand?**
* **How might a deeper awareness of God's omnipresence impact your daily decisions and interactions?**
* **What does it mean practically to live under the "hand" of God, and how does that influence your sense of security?**

### FAQ
**Does "beset" imply God is trapping or restricting me?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word (tsûwr) can carry connotations of hostile confinement or siege in other contexts, in Psalm 139:5, within the broader context of God's intimate knowledge and care, "beset" is overwhelmingly understood as a protective and encompassing presence. It implies that God surrounds the psalmist completely, leaving no vulnerability. It's akin to being guarded or held securely, rather than trapped. The subsequent phrase, "and laid thine hand upon me," further reinforces this benevolent interpretation, suggesting a touch of care, authority, and blessing, not oppression. The psalmist finds comfort and awe in this inescapable divine presence, not fear, as seen in [Psalm 139:7-10](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-10 - Where Can I Flee from Your Presence?").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 139:5, with its declaration of God's encompassing presence and sovereign hand, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The abstract omnipresence of God becomes tangible in the **Incarnation**, where God literally "beset" humanity by taking on human flesh, dwelling among us (as described in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus, being God incarnate, perfectly embodied the divine presence that surrounds and upholds all things. His life, from His miraculous conception to His resurrection, was entirely under the sovereign hand of the Father, fulfilling the "laid thine hand upon me" aspect. Furthermore, Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection demonstrate God's ultimate control over sin, death, and the future, truly "besetting" the powers of darkness "behind and before." Through Christ, believers are not merely observed but are actively held in God's grip, as Jesus Himself promises in [John 10:28-29](/john/10-28 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them Out of My Hand"), assuring that no one can snatch them out of His hand or the Father's hand. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, continues this intimate, indwelling presence, ensuring that God's "hand" is perpetually upon us, guiding, comforting, and empowering us until the day of Christ's return, when all things will be fully brought under His sovereign rule ([Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ Head Over All Things")).

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

Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

Psalms 34:7

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Job 23:8

¶ Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

Job 23:9

On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]:

Exodus 24:11

And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Job 9:33

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, [that] might lay his hand upon us both.