Psalm 139:17

Translations

Modern

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!

Traditional

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

Literal

And how precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is their sum!

Latin

Mihi autem nimis honorificati sunt amici tui, Deus; nimis confortatus est principatus eorum.

Original

Hebrew

English

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum!

Notes

Psalms 139:17

How precious to me are Your thoughts: God’s careful examination shows his loving care. Life with the Lord brings blessings that are beyond words.

Psalms 139:1–24

In this wisdom psalm, the psalmist opens every part of his life to God. He invites God to examine his thoughts, actions, and words. Even though life is difficult, he wants to grow in wisdom so that he does not share in the judgment of the wicked (Psalm 141:5; 142:3; 143:8, 10; 144:3–4).

The psalmist also knows that he cannot escape from the Lord. His stress fades as he remembers that God has cared for him with love, even before he was born (Psalm 139:13–18). He ends by asking God to keep examining him and to guide him on the path of wisdom (Psalm 139:23–24).

Psalms 138:1–145:21

In this final group of psalms of David, psalms of praise and wisdom (Psalms 138–139, 145) form a frame around five psalms of lament (Psalms 140–144).

Theme notes and profiles

David God’s Uniqueness The Cloud and Fire The Heart in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.
Isaiah 55:8–9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.
Psalm 92:5
How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!
Psalm 36:7
How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
Ephesians 3:9–10
…and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Psalm 31:19
How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!
Proverbs 8:31
I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Foreknowledge Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Feeling Alone God: Goodness of God: Knowledge of Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning Sand Thoughts

Psalm 139:17

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