Alistair Begg : God Knows All about Me
Understanding Psalm 139: God’s Intimate Knowledge of Us
When we reflect on our own lives and the challenges we face each day, it’s no surprise that fundamental questions about who we are and why we matter rise to the surface. In search of answers, people have turned to philosophy, self-help literature, and even art. But the most profound and satisfying answers are found right in the pages of Scripture—especially in Psalm 139, where King David expresses with powerful imagery the reality that God knows us more intimately than we could ever know ourselves.
The Universal Search for Identity and Meaning
Whether we’re teenagers just setting out in life, or adults who’ve journeyed for decades, everyone grapples with the same questions: “Who am I?”, “What defines me?”, and “Why do I matter?” We live in a world eager to assign us value based on our accomplishments, appearances, or possessions. But these are ever-changing and unreliable markers. The lasting answers we crave are found not in fleeting cultural trends, but in God’s unchanging Word.
Artists like Gauguin, writers, and thinkers through history have asked these questions. Some, like Gauguin himself, never found peace or answers despite their creative genius and spiritual upbringing. They searched for meaning in places that ultimately left them wanting. Imagine what peace they might have discovered if they’d allowed God’s timeless, loving truth to settle in their hearts through Scripture.
The Psalms: The Anatomy of the Soul
The Psalms, described by John Calvin as “the anatomy of the human soul,” offer us prayers and songs that capture our deepest feelings—joy, grief, longing, doubt, and hope. Unlike mere philosophy, the Psalms unite human experience with the greatness of God. In Psalm 139, David doesn’t speak in abstract theology; his words are intensely personal. He reveals not just what God knows, but how God’s knowledge encompasses us individually. David’s experience reminds us that, although our knowledge of God may be incomplete, our love and trust in Him can grow deeper as He reveals Himself through His Word.
Poetic Theology: Psalm 139’s Unique Approach
Psalm 139 stands as a poetic theological masterpiece. Its beauty is not just in poetic form, but in the deep spiritual truth it conveys—God’s omniscience (all-knowing nature), omnipresence (being everywhere), and intimate care for His children. These grand ideas aren’t presented as dry, academic concepts; instead, they’re wrapped in heartfelt confession and praise, showing us not only what God is like, but how He relates personally to each one of us.
An Outline of Psalm 139: You Know Me Completely
The Psalm naturally unfolds in four movements:
- Verses 1–6: God knows me intimately.
- Verses 7–14: God surrounds me—there’s nowhere I’m outside His care.
- Verses 15–18: God created me, crafting every detail of my being.
- Verses 19–24: God tests me—He searches my heart and guides my steps.
Let’s focus on the opening verses to understand what it truly means to be known by God.
God Knows Our Actions
David begins with a declaration: “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.” This “searching” isn’t casual observation but an exhaustive understanding—God knows us through and through. Every action, from the most mundane routines to the most significant milestones, is fully known to Him. When we sit down to rest or rise to start the day, God is aware. Nothing escapes His notice—not a brush of our teeth nor a silent sigh. In a world obsessed with data and surveillance, not even the most sophisticated technology can compare to God’s perfect knowledge of His creation.
God Knows Our Thoughts
As David continues, he marvels that God discerns his thoughts “from afar.” While we might keep our true intentions and secret ambitions hidden from the world, God perceives them all. There is no deceiving Him. The very motives of our hearts—whether pure or misguided—are laid open before Him. This isn’t meant to frighten us; rather, it’s a comfort to those who trust in Him, knowing that God’s understanding is always coupled with His love.
God Knows Our Journeys
Not only does God know what we do and what we think, but He also knows where we go. Our daily routines, travels, and even our moments of rest are familiar to Him. There’s no wandering—not in foreign lands or in familiar places—where God’s gaze fails to reach us. We might try to hide or run from our past or our pain, but God’s presence is inescapable, and His watchful care is constant.
God Knows Our Words Before We Speak
David exclaims in wonder that “even before a word is on my tongue…you know it altogether.” Our words—spoken or unspoken, wise or regrettable—are known in full to God. He knows what we will say before the words even form. For those who love truth, this is humbling. For those trying to hide, it’s sobering. God’s knowledge isn’t confined to the past or present—it stretches to every conversation, every secret hope, every cry for help.
God Knows Us Better Than We Know Ourselves
David realizes that God’s knowledge surpasses even our understanding of ourselves. We might fool others, mask our fears, or exaggerate our successes. But before the all-seeing eyes of our Creator, we are entirely known—our joys, our heartaches, our failures, our secret desires.
God’s intimate knowledge isn
