- Home
- Bible
- Psalms
- Chapter 139
- Verse 139
Psalms 139:23
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
He sees in them the danger which threatens himself, and prays God not to give him over to the judgment of self-delusion, but to lay bare the true state of his soul. The fact "Thou hast searched me," which the beginning of the Psalm confesses, is here turned into a petitioning "search me." Instead of רעים in Psa 139:17, the poet here says שׂרעפּים, which signifies branches (Eze 31:5) and branchings of the act of thinking (thoughts and cares, Psa 94:19). The Resh is epenthetic, for the first form is שׂעפּים, Job 4:13; Job 20:2. The poet thus sets the very ground and life of his heart, with all its outward manifestations, in the light of the divine omniscience. And in Psa 139:24 he prays that God would see whether any דּרך־ע צב cleaves to him (בּי as in Sa1 25:24), by which is not meant "a way of idols" (Rosenmller, Gesenius, and Maurer), after Isa 48:5, since an inclination towards, or even apostasy to, heathenism cannot be an unknown sin; nor to a man like the writer of this Psalm is heathenism any power of temptation. דוך בּצע (Grהtz) might more readily be admissible, but דוך עצב is a more comprehensive notion, and one more in accordance with this closing petition. The poet gives this name to the way that leads to the pain, torture, viz., of the inward and outward punishments of sin; and, on the other hand, the way along which he wishes to be guided he calls דּרך עולם, the way of endless continuance (lxx, Vulgate, Luther), not the way of the former times, after Jer 6:16 (Maurer, Olshausen), which thus by itself is ambiguous (as becomes evident from Job 22:15; Jer 18:15), and also does not furnish any direct antithesis. The "everlasting way" is the way of God (Psa 27:11), the way of the righteous, which stands fast for ever and shall not "perish" (Psa 1:6).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And see if there be any wicked way in me,.... Not that David thought himself free from wickedness, or that there was none to be found in his heart and life; and therefore said this in a boasting way, he knew otherwise; see Psa 19:12; but he is desirous it might be thoroughly looked into and seen whether there was any such wicked way in him he was charged with; as that he had a design upon the life of Saul, and to seize his throne and kingdom, which never entered into his mind, Sa1 24:9. Or, "any way of grief" (d); what tended to wound and grieve his own soul, or to grieve the hearts of God's people; or to grieve the Holy Spirit of God; and which he ought to grieve for and repent of: suggesting, that upon the first conviction he was ready to relinquish any such wicked way, and express his abhorrence of it, and testify true repentance for it. Some render it, "the way of an idol" (e); because a word from the same root signifies an idol: every carnal lust in a man's heart is an idol; and whatsoever engrosses the affections, or has more of them than God himself has, or is preferred to him, Eze 14:4. The Targum is, "and see if the way of those that err is me;'' and lead me in the way everlasting; or, "in the way of old" (f): the good old way, the ancient path, in which the patriarchs before and after the flood walked, Or, "in the perpetual way" (g); the way that endures for ever; in opposition to the way of the wicked, that perishes, Psa 1:6; or in the way that leads to everlasting life, to eternal peace and rest, and endless pleasures; as opposed to the way of grief and sorrow. It designs Christ, the true and only way to eternal life, the path of faith, truth, and godliness, Mat 7:13; in which the Lord leads his people, as a father does his child, and as the shepherd his flock. The Jewish commentators, Aben Ezra and Kimchi, interpret it the way of the world; and take it to be the same with the way of all flesh, death, or the grave; which is called man's world, or home, Jos 23:14; and make the sense to be this: If thou seest any evil in me, take me out of the world; kill me at once, let me die But this seems to be foreign from the text; for the word "lead" designs a blessing or benefit, as Calvin well observes. The Targum is, "lead me in the way of the upright of the world;'' the way in which upright men walk. (d) "via doloris", Montanus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. (e) "Via idoli"; so some in Vatablus. (f) "per viam sepiternam", Pagninus, Vatablus; "per viam antiquam", Gussetius; so Ainsworth. (g) "In via perpetua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. Next: Psalms Chapter 140
Tyndale Open Study Notes
139:23-24 The psalmist’s prayer against the wicked leads him also to reflect on himself; he does not presume that he is righteous. This prayer has been repeated by believers over the centuries.
Psalms 139:23
You Have Searched Me and Known Me
22I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them as my enemies. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Bringing Your House to Spiritual Victory
By Carter Conlon6.0K52:58Household SalvationPSA 139:23JER 29:11MAT 6:33ACT 10:30In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and living out one's faith rather than just talking about it. He uses the example of Cornelius, a man who was known for his acts of compassion and his consistent prayer life. The preacher also shares personal experiences of witnessing God's faithfulness and the power of prayer. He encourages believers to believe in the transformative power of God and to be consistent in their faith both at home and in church. The sermon concludes with a reminder to not play games with God and to be genuine in one's relationship with Him.
A Pure Heart
By Stephen Kaung4.3K1:02:51PSA 139:23MAT 5:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being sensitive to the Lord and not being deceived by sin. He warns against the love of the world, which includes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The preacher highlights that we cannot serve both God and man, and that the enemy will try to use the world to trap us. He also discusses the power of the Word of God, which can penetrate our inner beings and discern our thoughts and intentions. The sermon concludes with a call to purify our hearts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Confession and Revival
By J. Edwin Orr4.1K12:44ConfessionPSA 139:231JN 1:9In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of confession in the context of revival. He emphasizes that confession should be genuine and not turn into a mere exhibition of sins. The preacher advises that confession should be made to God for secret sins, privately to those who have been hurt by our actions, and openly for sins committed publicly. He also highlights the biblical example of Peter confessing Jesus as the Christ, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in revealing the truth. The sermon concludes with a call to pray for revival and seek deliverance through the prayers of righteous believers.
Woe, Lo, Go - Isaiah 6
By Leonard Ravenhill3.2K56:43PSA 139:23ISA 6:1ISA 6:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and the need for a deep spiritual revival. It touches on the reality of suffering in the world, the significance of genuine prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the urgency of living a life fully surrendered to God's will.
Devotions or Devotion
By Keith Green3.1K1:15:04PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life of true devotion to God, highlighting the need to align our motives with God's will in every aspect of our lives. It discusses the eternal struggle between selfishness and devotion, urging believers to constantly seek a state of mind that is focused on God. The sermon challenges individuals to examine their motives, habits, and actions, ensuring that everything is done in the spirit of devotion to God.
Wednesday #2 Hindrances to Revival
By J. Edwin Orr2.5K20:43Hindrances to RevivalPSA 139:23In this sermon, the preacher addresses the attitude of the "now generation" that dismisses the importance of history. He emphasizes the significance of understanding and learning from the past. The preacher then discusses various topics such as repentance, the work of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, and confession of sins. He highlights the importance of Christians living up to certain standards, using the Sermon on the Mount as a reference. The sermon concludes with a call for personal introspection and prayer for revival, acknowledging the need for humility, confession, and obedience to God.
Woe Lo Go - the Vision (1955)
By Leonard Ravenhill2.4K1:15:49Vision1KI 17:11KI 17:12PSA 139:23ISA 6:5MAT 6:33In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness. He mentions that if someone invented a camera that could capture the true state of our hearts, they would be out of business because we often hide our true selves from ourselves. The preacher shares a story about a prophet in Israel who had a vision of himself after asking God to search his heart. The prophet saw God on His throne, saw himself, and then found himself on the edge of an abyss, witnessing the multitude of people. The preacher also mentions a book by General Alma Bradley, where he describes how soldiers who fight together can still harbor jealousy and bitterness towards each other. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God is the same today as He was in the past, and that churches should not become prideful but instead focus on self-reflection and humility.
Christ, Our Indwelling Sanctifier
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.8K22:49SanctifierPSA 119:105PSA 139:23JHN 17:17EPH 4:1PHP 2:12HEB 4:12In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and the power of God to transform our hearts. He highlights the concept of God's creation and how we, as humans, are meant to reflect the image of the Son of God. The preacher expresses gratitude for the meetings and the presence of Christ in them. He emphasizes the need for conviction and repentance when our hearts are rebellious. The sermon also emphasizes the authority and power of the Word of God to discern our thoughts and intentions. The preacher encourages the listeners to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to make them more like Jesus.
The Faith That Persuades
By J. Edwin Orr1.8K1:04:25FaithPSA 139:23In this sermon, the speaker discusses the idea of chance as an explanation for the complexity of the human brain. He mentions a professor's experiment with monkeys typing on typewriters, which ultimately leads to the realization that chance is not a sufficient explanation. The speaker then introduces the concept of Providence and how it led him to find God through Jesus Christ. He also mentions the role of scientists in finding faith and shares a personal anecdote about his son. The sermon concludes with a break and a hymn, followed by a conversation with Dr. Wallace about computer programming and human conception.
Who Are God's Anointed
By Leonard Ravenhill1.8K1:07:25God's AnointedPSA 51:1PSA 51:10PSA 139:23In this sermon, the preacher highlights the emptiness and lack of true spiritual presence in many religious gatherings. He shares a conversation with a famous manager of a rock band who reveals the different phases that rock music has gone through, including a focus on sex, causes, addiction to violence, and now, religious commitment. The preacher emphasizes that most Christians live by events and lack true submission to Jesus Christ. He challenges believers to make a total commitment to God, living by faith and surrendering their lives completely to Him.
Be Encouraged, Die to Self
By James Malachi Jennings1.7K09:31PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of not giving up in the face of spiritual battles, urging believers to press on, be on fire for Christ, and die to self daily. It highlights the need to examine our hearts, seek satisfaction in Jesus Christ alone, and let go of idols and sins that hinder our relationship with God. The speaker encourages a focus on Christ, not on personal achievements or ministries, and stresses the significance of living for God's glory above seeking man's approval.
In Times Like These… - Part 1
By Erlo Stegen1.7K59:54DiscernmentPSA 139:23PRO 28:13JAS 5:16In this sermon, the speaker addresses the current state of the world and the church. He emphasizes the need to recognize the immorality and lack of moral standards prevalent in society. The speaker shares personal confessions from individuals who struggle with temptation and seek comfort in worldly distractions. The sermon also highlights the importance of self-reflection and confession among ministers, urging them to practice what they preach and seek guidance from others.
The Lord Is Your Keeper
By David Wilkerson1.6K1:09:45PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and experiencing His glory and presence. It shares personal experiences of encountering God's glory and the eternal perspective of focusing on Christ alone. The speaker encourages a deep devotion to Jesus and a detachment from worldly things, inviting individuals to seek a fresh touch from God and a renewed love for Him.
The Great Evil of All Sin - Part 4
By Richard Owen Roberts1.6K11:17PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of not just accepting Christ, but also being accepted by Him. It highlights the deception of harboring sin in one's heart and the necessity of aligning with God's aspirations. The speaker shares a personal story about his children and their aspirations, drawing a parallel to God's infinitely higher aspirations for each individual. Sin is portrayed as a hindrance to fulfilling God's purpose and design for one's life.
Audio Sermon: Shall We Continue in Sin - the Fear of God
By David Wilkerson1.4K1:05:56PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and dealing with sin in our lives through the fear of God. It highlights the consequences of continuing in sin, the need for repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to cleanse and empower believers to walk in righteousness and freedom.
The Most Expensive Treasure
By Michael Howard1.4K1:17:42PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of being hungry for God's word and truth, being willing to impart not only the gospel but one's own life to glorify God. It shares powerful testimonies of God's protection, provision, and miraculous interventions, highlighting the need for a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit to be effective vessels for God's work. The speaker encourages a lifestyle of obedience to the Holy Spirit, sensitivity to His leading, and a focus on glorifying God in all aspects of life.
Search Me O God
By Dale Yocum1.3K57:09ConfessionPSA 139:23In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Psalm 139, specifically verses 23 and 24. The congregation is urged to pray for God to examine their hearts and thoughts, to reveal any wickedness within them, and to lead them in the way of the Lord. The preacher shares a story about a doctor who discovered a hidden problem in a patient's x-ray, highlighting the importance of examining our inner lives. The sermon emphasizes the need to prioritize seeking God's kingdom and living in accordance with His word, as there is no second chance at judgment.
Restoring Your Passion for Christ Part 2
By Carter Conlon1.3K58:32PSA 139:23This sermon delves into the Judas factor in ministry, highlighting the danger of pursuing personal agendas over God's will, the importance of servanthood, and the need for self-examination to ensure alignment with God's heart. It emphasizes the significance of yielding to God's plans and finding peace in being His servant, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.
(Pdf Book) How I Got Joy Unspeakable and Full and Glory
By Bakht Singh1.3K00:00EbooksJoy in ChristTransformationPSA 139:23JER 29:13MAT 28:18JHN 6:37JHN 15:16EPH 2:8REV 3:20Bakht Singh shares his transformative journey from bitterness and atheism to experiencing unspeakable joy through Jesus Christ. Initially resistant to Christianity, he recounts how his life changed dramatically after he accepted Christ, leading to a profound sense of peace and purpose. Singh emphasizes that true joy comes from a personal relationship with Jesus, which surpasses worldly ambitions and material satisfaction. He encourages others to seek this joy and to trust in God's power to transform their lives. His testimony serves as a powerful reminder of God's grace and the importance of surrendering to Him.
The Importance of Knowing God's Ways
By Zac Poonen1.3K1:01:07PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding God's ways as highlighted in Isaiah 55:8. It discusses the contrast between man's ways and God's ways, urging listeners to seek God's thoughts and ways. The speaker warns against being influenced by worldly teachings, traditions, and political views, stressing the need to have a humble and childlike spirit to grasp God's ways. The sermon encourages a deeper understanding of Scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern God's ways in all aspects of life.
Field Under Heavenly Cultivation
By Corrie Ten Boom1.3K55:00PSA 139:231CO 3:9This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering 100% to God, leaving behind all sins and distractions to fully abide in the Lord's power and grace. It highlights the need to be prepared for Jesus' return, to be at peace with God and others, and to be representatives of heaven on earth. The message also touches on the richness of God's love, the necessity of repentance, and the role of prayer in doing God's work.
Preserving God's Standards
By Zac Poonen1.2K57:40PSA 139:23MAT 11:28MRK 9:24JHN 14:15GAL 5:7This sermon emphasizes the importance of staying true to God's standards and not deviating from the path set by Jesus. It warns against compromising with worldly influences and highlights the need for self-judgment, humility, and seeking the Holy Spirit's help to stay on track. The speaker urges individuals to focus on following Jesus, judging themselves, and being willing to take the blame, rather than blaming others. The message stresses the significance of preserving the testimony of Christ in the current generation and encourages a commitment to upholding high standards despite the prevailing backsliding in Christendom.
Characteristics of Pharisees - 3
By Zac Poonen1.2K1:02:13PSA 139:23This sermon delves into the characteristics of Pharisees, highlighting the dangers of judgmentalism, hypocrisy, jealousy, and legalism. It emphasizes the need to focus on personal repentance, mercy, and genuine faith in God rather than rituals or traditions. The message calls for a transformation of the heart to reflect Christ's love and compassion towards others, especially the lost sinners.
Right Relationship Praying
By Lou Sutera1.2K58:16PSA 139:23This sermon emphasizes the importance of praying with a right relationship to God, highlighting the hindrance of unforgiveness and the need to address any iniquity in our hearts before God. It stresses the significance of forgiveness, reconciliation with others, and the impact of an unforgiving spirit on our prayers. The speaker shares powerful testimonies of individuals finding freedom and breakthrough through forgiveness and reconciliation, illustrating the transformative power of prayer rooted in right relationships.
1 Peter 2:9
By Brother Yun1.2K2:06:30PSA 139:23This sermon by Brother Ren and Brother Yun emphasizes the power of surrendering to God, sharing personal testimonies of miraculous healings and encounters with Jesus. It highlights the importance of being bold witnesses for Christ, even in the face of persecution, and the need to trust in God's plan for our lives. The sermon encourages believers to pray for revival, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and to step into the mission God has for each individual, spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
He sees in them the danger which threatens himself, and prays God not to give him over to the judgment of self-delusion, but to lay bare the true state of his soul. The fact "Thou hast searched me," which the beginning of the Psalm confesses, is here turned into a petitioning "search me." Instead of רעים in Psa 139:17, the poet here says שׂרעפּים, which signifies branches (Eze 31:5) and branchings of the act of thinking (thoughts and cares, Psa 94:19). The Resh is epenthetic, for the first form is שׂעפּים, Job 4:13; Job 20:2. The poet thus sets the very ground and life of his heart, with all its outward manifestations, in the light of the divine omniscience. And in Psa 139:24 he prays that God would see whether any דּרך־עצב cleaves to him (בּי as in Sa1 25:24), by which is not meant "a way of idols" (Rosenmller, Gesenius, and Maurer), after Isa 48:5, since an inclination towards, or even apostasy to, heathenism cannot be an unknown sin; nor to a man like the writer of this Psalm is heathenism any power of temptation. דוך בּצע (Grהtz) might more readily be admissible, but דוך עצב is a more comprehensive notion, and one more in accordance with this closing petition. The poet gives this name to the way that leads to the pain, torture, viz., of the inward and outward punishments of sin; and, on the other hand, the way along which he wishes to be guided he calls דּרך עולם, the way of endless continuance (lxx, Vulgate, Luther), not the way of the former times, after Jer 6:16 (Maurer, Olshausen), which thus by itself is ambiguous (as becomes evident from Job 22:15; Jer 18:15), and also does not furnish any direct antithesis. The "everlasting way" is the way of God (Psa 27:11), the way of the righteous, which stands fast for ever and shall not "perish" (Psa 1:6).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And see if there be any wicked way in me,.... Not that David thought himself free from wickedness, or that there was none to be found in his heart and life; and therefore said this in a boasting way, he knew otherwise; see Psa 19:12; but he is desirous it might be thoroughly looked into and seen whether there was any such wicked way in him he was charged with; as that he had a design upon the life of Saul, and to seize his throne and kingdom, which never entered into his mind, Sa1 24:9. Or, "any way of grief" (d); what tended to wound and grieve his own soul, or to grieve the hearts of God's people; or to grieve the Holy Spirit of God; and which he ought to grieve for and repent of: suggesting, that upon the first conviction he was ready to relinquish any such wicked way, and express his abhorrence of it, and testify true repentance for it. Some render it, "the way of an idol" (e); because a word from the same root signifies an idol: every carnal lust in a man's heart is an idol; and whatsoever engrosses the affections, or has more of them than God himself has, or is preferred to him, Eze 14:4. The Targum is, "and see if the way of those that err is me;'' and lead me in the way everlasting; or, "in the way of old" (f): the good old way, the ancient path, in which the patriarchs before and after the flood walked, Or, "in the perpetual way" (g); the way that endures for ever; in opposition to the way of the wicked, that perishes, Psa 1:6; or in the way that leads to everlasting life, to eternal peace and rest, and endless pleasures; as opposed to the way of grief and sorrow. It designs Christ, the true and only way to eternal life, the path of faith, truth, and godliness, Mat 7:13; in which the Lord leads his people, as a father does his child, and as the shepherd his flock. The Jewish commentators, Aben Ezra and Kimchi, interpret it the way of the world; and take it to be the same with the way of all flesh, death, or the grave; which is called man's world, or home, Jos 23:14; and make the sense to be this: If thou seest any evil in me, take me out of the world; kill me at once, let me die But this seems to be foreign from the text; for the word "lead" designs a blessing or benefit, as Calvin well observes. The Targum is, "lead me in the way of the upright of the world;'' the way in which upright men walk. (d) "via doloris", Montanus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. (e) "Via idoli"; so some in Vatablus. (f) "per viam sepiternam", Pagninus, Vatablus; "per viam antiquam", Gussetius; so Ainsworth. (g) "In via perpetua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. Next: Psalms Chapter 140
Tyndale Open Study Notes
139:23-24 The psalmist’s prayer against the wicked leads him also to reflect on himself; he does not presume that he is righteous. This prayer has been repeated by believers over the centuries.