Psalms 139:15

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

My substance {H6108} was not hid {H3582} from thee, when I was made {H6213} in secret {H5643}, and curiously wrought {H7551} in the lowest parts {H8482} of the earth {H776}.

My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Commentary

Psalms 139:15 beautifully expresses the psalmist's profound understanding of God's intimate knowledge and meticulous involvement in the creation of human life. The verse emphasizes that even in the hidden, earliest stages of development, nothing about an individual's formation is concealed from God.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 139, a magnificent hymn attributed to David, which celebrates God's omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. The psalm begins by declaring God's exhaustive knowledge of every thought and action (Psalms 139:1-6), then moves to His omnipresence (Psalms 139:7-12), and culminates in His intricate involvement in human creation. Verse 15 builds directly on the previous verse, Psalms 139:14, which states, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience and Intimacy: The phrase "My substance was not hid from thee" underscores God's complete and unwavering knowledge of us, even before birth. He sees and understands our very essence from conception, demonstrating an unparalleled level of personal intimacy and awareness. This echoes the sentiment found in Jeremiah 1:5, where God declares, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee."
  • The Miracle of Human Creation: The verse vividly portrays the process of human development as a divine, intricate work. Being "made in secret" refers to the hidden, mysterious process within the mother's womb, a place of profound privacy and biological wonder.
  • God's Meticulous Handiwork: The King James Version's "curiously wrought" is a powerful translation of the Hebrew word raqam (ืจึธืงึทื), which means "to embroider," "to weave," or "to variegate." This imagery suggests a skillful, artistic, and highly detailed process, much like an artisan weaving a complex tapestry. It emphasizes that God's creation of each individual is not haphazard but a deliberate, intricate design, making every person a unique masterpiece.
  • The Womb as a Sacred Space: "In the lowest parts of the earth" is a poetic metaphor for the womb, symbolizing a deep, hidden, and foundational place where life is formed. It highlights the profound mystery and sanctity of prenatal development under God's watchful eye.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "curiously wrought," raqam (ืจึธืงึทื), is often used to describe the work of an embroiderer or weaver. For instance, it's used in the context of the tabernacle's intricate curtains and priestly garments (Exodus 26:36). This conveys the idea that our physical bodies are not merely assembled but are divinely woven with precision, beauty, and purpose, much like a finely crafted piece of art.

Practical Application

Psalms 139:15 offers profound comfort and affirmation of personal worth. It reminds us that:

  • Our existence is not accidental but divinely purposed and intricately designed by God.
  • God knows us intimately from our very beginnings, providing a deep sense of security and belonging.
  • This verse speaks to the sanctity of life, from conception onward, as a direct product of God's creative hand.
  • Understanding that we are "curiously wrought" by God can instill confidence in our unique identity and purpose, knowing that every detail of our being was known and fashioned by Him.
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Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 11:5 (18 votes)

    As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

  • Psalms 139:13 (16 votes)

    For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

  • Job 10:8 (11 votes)

    ยถ Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

  • Job 10:11 (11 votes)

    Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.

  • Psalms 63:9 (4 votes)

    But those [that] seek my soul, to destroy [it], shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

  • Ephesians 4:9 (-2 votes)

    (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

  • Exodus 11:5 (-4 votes)

    And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that [is] behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.