Psalms 139:6

[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.

Such knowledge {H1847} is too wonderful {H6383}{H6383} for me; it is high {H7682}, I cannot {H3201} attain unto it.

Such wonderful knowledge is beyond me, far too high for me to reach.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Suchknowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalms 139:6 is a profound declaration of the psalmist's awe and humility in the face of God's infinite knowledge and understanding. It expresses the overwhelming nature of divine omniscience, which surpasses all human capacity to comprehend.

Context

This verse concludes the opening section of Psalm 139, where David meditates on God's profound knowledge of every detail of human existence. From knowing his thoughts before they are formed to being acquainted with all his ways, God's presence and understanding are inescapable (Psalm 139:1-5). The psalmist's response to this all-encompassing awareness is not fear, but wonder and a sense of being utterly known by his Creator. This verse serves as a summary statement, acknowledging the incomprehensible nature of such divine insight.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience and Incomprehensibility: The primary theme is that God's knowledge is boundless and utterly beyond human grasp. It is "too wonderful" and "high," meaning it transcends any earthly understanding or intellectual attainment.
  • Human Limitation and Humility: The phrase "I cannot attain unto it" underscores the vast chasm between finite human wisdom and infinite divine wisdom. It fosters a posture of humility before God's majesty.
  • Awe and Reverence: The psalmist's reaction is one of profound awe, not fear or despair. This acknowledgment of God's incomprehensible greatness inspires worship and deep reverence for the Creator. This echoes the biblical theme of God's thoughts being immeasurably higher than human thoughts.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "wonderful" is pele (פלא), which often describes something extraordinary, miraculous, or beyond normal human comprehension or explanation. It suggests an act or attribute of God that evokes astonishment. The terms "high" (שגב, sagav) and "attain" (also from the root שגב, sagav) are closely related. Sagav means to be exalted, inaccessible, or placed on high. When used with "attain," it emphasizes that God's knowledge is so lofty and sublime that human intellect cannot reach its depths or fully grasp its vastness, reinforcing the idea of divine transcendence.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 139:6 offers several comforting and challenging applications:

  • Comfort in Being Known: It provides immense comfort to know that God understands every facet of our being – our thoughts, struggles, joys, and fears – even those we cannot articulate. This deep knowledge is the foundation for the psalmist's later declaration of being fearfully and wonderfully made.
  • Cultivating Humility: This verse calls us to humility, reminding us that our understanding is limited compared to God's infinite wisdom. It encourages trust in His perfect plan, even when we don't fully comprehend it.
  • Inspiring Worship: Acknowledging the incomprehensible nature of God's attributes should lead to profound adoration and worship. His knowledge is not merely extensive; it is glorious and awe-inspiring.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 11:33

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Job 42:3

    Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

  • Job 26:14

    Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

  • 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.

  • Job 11:7

    ¶ Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

  • Job 11:9

    The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

  • Proverbs 30:2

    Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.
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