Translations
Original
Notes
The path of wisdom leads to eternal life (see Psalm 1:6; Proverbs 4:18; 6:23).
As the psalmist prays about the wicked, he also reflects on himself. He does not assume that he is righteous. This prayer has been spoken again and again by God’s people over many generations.
The psalmist’s sense of awe leads him to consider the wicked and to reflect on himself. The Lord, as the examiner of all people, judges the wicked for their destructive acts and speech. So, the psalmist prays that he will not be among them.
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).
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).
David The Cloud and Fire The Heart in the Psalms Wisdom Psalms
Glossary
Topics
God: Guide God: Knowledge of Having a Bad Day Self Examination Self-Examination: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Examination: should be Engaged in with Prayer for Divine Searching Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual