Psalms 139:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 139:6 articulates the psalmist's profound sense of awe and humility before the immeasurable and incomprehensible knowledge of God. It declares that divine omniscience is not merely extensive but utterly transcendent, surpassing all human capacity for understanding or attainment, inspiring a deep reverence for the Creator's infinite wisdom and perfect awareness of all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to the opening stanza of Psalm 139, which focuses intensely on God's intimate and exhaustive knowledge of the psalmist. The preceding verses (Psalms 139:1-5) meticulously detail God's awareness of every thought, word, and action, from the psalmist's sitting and rising to his most distant paths. The language is one of inescapable divine presence and penetrating insight, where no aspect of human existence remains hidden from God's gaze. Psalms 139:6 acts as a climactic exclamation, a summary statement of profound wonder that encapsulates the psalmist's response to such overwhelming omniscience, acknowledging its incomprehensible nature. It sets the stage for the subsequent sections of the psalm, which explore God's omnipresence (Psalms 139:7-12) and omnipotence in creation (Psalms 139:13-18).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 139 is attributed to David, its themes resonate with universal human experience and ancient Israelite theology. In the ancient Near East, kings and deities were often depicted as having great knowledge, but the God of Israel's knowledge is portrayed as uniquely absolute and personal. Unlike the limited, often capricious gods of surrounding cultures, Yahweh's omniscience is presented as a foundational attribute of His character, underpinning His justice, faithfulness, and providential care. The cultural understanding of "knowledge" (Hebrew: *daʻath*) encompassed not just intellectual data but also intimate acquaintance and deep understanding. The concept of God's "highness" or transcendence was a common biblical motif, separating Him from human limitations and earthly deities, emphasizing His supreme authority and unique nature. This verse, therefore, aligns with a broader theological framework that exalts Yahweh above all, not just in power but in perfect wisdom.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored in Psalms 139:6 is the **Divine Omniscience and Incomprehensibility** of God. The psalmist grapples with the reality that God's knowledge is boundless, penetrating every secret and anticipating every future event, yet it remains utterly beyond human comprehension. This leads to the theme of **Human Limitation and Humility**, as the psalmist acknowledges the vast chasm between finite human wisdom and infinite divine wisdom. The declaration "I cannot attain unto it" is not a lament of inadequacy but a humble recognition of God's exalted nature, fostering a posture of profound humility before His majesty. Consequently, the verse inspires **Awe and Reverence**, transforming the overwhelming reality of God's knowledge into a source of worship rather than fear. This awe is akin to the sentiment expressed in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"), where God declares His thoughts and ways are immeasurably higher than human thoughts and ways, inviting trust in His perfect, though often inscrutable, plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Knowledge (Hebrew, _daʻath'_):** From the root *yada*, meaning "to know" or "to perceive." Here, H1847 refers to God's intimate, comprehensive, and exhaustive understanding. It is not mere intellectual data but a deep, personal acquaintance with all things, including the innermost thoughts and future actions of humanity. The psalmist is overwhelmed by the sheer scope and depth of this divine *daʻath*.
* **Wonderful (Hebrew, _pilʼîy'_):** Derived from H6383, this word signifies something remarkable, extraordinary, or miraculous—something that evokes astonishment and is beyond normal human comprehension or explanation. When applied to God's knowledge, it conveys that His understanding is not just vast, but awe-inspiring, supernatural, and utterly unique, setting it apart from any human form of knowing.
* **High (Hebrew, _sâgab'_):** H7682 describes something lofty, exalted, or inaccessible. It implies a height that cannot be reached or a strength that cannot be overcome. In this context, it speaks to the transcendence of God's knowledge; it is so elevated and sublime that human intellect cannot ascend to its level or fully grasp its vastness. This reinforces the idea of divine transcendence and the inherent limitation of human understanding when confronted with the infinite.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;":** The psalmist begins by reflecting on the profound, intimate knowledge of God detailed in the preceding verses. The term "such knowledge" refers back to God's comprehensive understanding of his every thought, movement, and path. The declaration that it is "too wonderful" (Hebrew: *pilʼîy*) signifies an overwhelming, miraculous quality that evokes astonishment and surpasses human capacity to fully grasp or articulate. It's not merely surprising, but divinely extraordinary and awe-inspiring, leaving the psalmist in a state of humble wonder.
* **"it is high,":** This clause further emphasizes the transcendent nature of God's knowledge. The word "high" (Hebrew: *sâgab*) conveys a sense of elevation, inaccessibility, and supremacy. God's knowledge is not just vast, but it exists on a plane far above human intellect or experience. It is exalted, sublime, and utterly beyond the reach of human reasoning or comprehension.
* **"I cannot attain unto it.":** This final phrase is a confession of human limitation and finitude. The psalmist, despite his profound meditation, recognizes that he cannot "attain" or fully grasp the depth and breadth of God's knowledge. This is not a statement of despair but of humble acknowledgment of the vast qualitative difference between the Creator's infinite wisdom and the creature's finite understanding. It underscores humanity's inherent inability to fully comprehend the divine.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 139:6 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Hyperbole**, as the psalmist declares God's knowledge to be "too wonderful" and so "high" that he "cannot attain unto it." While literally true in the sense of full comprehension, the language is exaggerated to convey an overwhelming sense of awe and the absolute transcendence of divine wisdom. This hyperbole effectively communicates the vast chasm between human and divine understanding. **Metaphor** is also present in the imagery of God's knowledge being "high," suggesting an elevated, inaccessible peak that human intellect cannot scale. This visual metaphor reinforces the concept of divine transcendence and human limitation. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Climax** to the preceding verses (Psalms 139:1-5), which meticulously detail God's pervasive knowledge. Psalms 139:6 serves as the emotional and theological crescendo, summarizing the psalmist's response to such overwhelming truth. The overall tone is one of **Reverent Awe**, which is a literary effect achieved through the psalmist's humble confession of inability in the face of divine majesty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 139:6 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's absolute omniscience and transcendence, positioning Him as the ultimate source of all wisdom, whose understanding far surpasses any human capacity. This verse invites believers to embrace a posture of humility, recognizing the inherent limitations of finite reason when confronted with the infinite mind of God. It assures us that our God is not only intimately acquainted with every detail of our lives but also operates from a perfect, comprehensive understanding that we can never fully grasp, fostering trust in His sovereign plan even when it defies our comprehension. This divine incomprehensibility, rather than creating distance, should deepen our worship and reliance on His perfect wisdom.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
* [Romans 11:33-34](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-34 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom"): "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! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?"
* [Job 42:3](/job/42-3 "Job 42:3 - Job's Confession of God's Unfathomable Wisdom"): "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."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 139:6 offers a profound invitation to both comfort and humility for the contemporary believer. In a world that often prizes intellectual mastery and self-sufficiency, this verse reminds us that there are depths of divine knowledge and wisdom that will forever remain beyond our full grasp. This truth should bring immense comfort, knowing that the God who intimately knows us—our deepest fears, unarticulated longings, and every hidden struggle—is also the God whose understanding is perfect and whose plans are infallible, even when we cannot see the full picture. It cultivates a trust that transcends our limited perception, encouraging us to rest in His sovereign care. Simultaneously, it calls us to a posture of profound humility, dismantling any intellectual pride and fostering a childlike dependence on the One whose thoughts are infinitely higher than our own. This humility is not a deficit but an open door to deeper worship and a greater appreciation for the unfathomable majesty of our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God's knowledge being "too wonderful" and "high" impact your understanding of His character?**
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's wisdom because you cannot fully "attain unto it" or comprehend His plan?**
* **How can acknowledging your intellectual limitations before God lead to deeper worship and greater peace?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of humility and awe in your daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Does "I cannot attain unto it" mean God's knowledge is unknowable, or just incomprehensible?**

Answer: It means God's knowledge is incomprehensible, not entirely unknowable. The psalmist is expressing that the *fullness* and *depth* of God's knowledge are beyond human capacity to fully grasp or master. We can know *about* God's knowledge and even experience its effects, but we cannot fully comprehend its infinite scope or the way God processes it. It speaks to the qualitative difference between divine and human understanding. While we can learn about God through His revelation in Scripture and creation, His ultimate being and the totality of His knowledge remain transcendent, "too wonderful" for our finite minds. This aligns with [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom"), which marvels at the "depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 139:6 speaks of God's transcendent and incomprehensible knowledge, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the person of Jesus, who is the very embodiment and revelation of God's wisdom and knowledge made accessible to humanity. In Christ, the "too wonderful" and "high" knowledge of God is uniquely revealed and mediated. [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Whom Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge") declares that "in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Jesus, as the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), perfectly knows the Father and reveals Him ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")). Through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, the unfathomable wisdom of God's plan for salvation, once hidden, is made manifest. We cannot "attain" to God's knowledge through our own intellect, but through faith in Christ, we are granted access to the wisdom "from above" ([James 3:17](/james/3-17 "James 3:17 - Wisdom from Above")), and the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")). Thus, the incomprehensible knowledge of God is not a barrier but an invitation to draw near through the one who fully knows and perfectly reveals the Father.

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.