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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Psalms 139:1–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

39 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 1

  1. Hebrews 4:13Rank 1 from verse 1
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    13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  2. Jeremiah 12:3Rank 2 from verse 1
    Open

    3But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

  3. Jeremiah 17:9–10Rank 3 from verse 1
    Open

    9¶ The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

    10I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

  4. Psalms 44:21Rank 4 from verse 1
    Open

    21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

  5. Psalms 17:3Rank 5 from verse 1
    Open

    3Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

From verse 2

  1. Matthew 9:4Rank 1 from verse 2
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    4And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

  2. 2 Kings 19:27Rank 2 from verse 2
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    27But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

  3. Isaiah 37:28Rank 3 from verse 2
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    28But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

  4. Luke 9:47Rank 4 from verse 2
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    47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

  5. Psalms 94:11Rank 5 from verse 2
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    11The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

From verse 3

  1. Jeremiah 23:24Rank 1 from verse 3
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    24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

  2. Job 31:4Rank 2 from verse 3
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    4Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

  3. Genesis 28:10–17Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    10¶ And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.

    11And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

    12And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

    13And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

    14And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

    15And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

    16¶ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

    17And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

  4. Proverbs 5:20–21Rank 4 from verse 3
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    20And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

    21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.

  5. 2 Samuel 11:27Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    27And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

From verse 4

  1. Hebrews 4:12–13Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  2. Psalms 19:14Rank 2 from verse 4
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    14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

  3. Psalms 50:19–21Rank 3 from verse 4
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    19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

    20Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

    21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

  4. Job 42:3Rank 4 from verse 4
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    3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

  5. Matthew 12:35–37Rank 5 from verse 4
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    35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

    36But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

    37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

From verse 5

  1. Psalms 34:7Rank 1 from verse 5
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    7The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

  2. Deuteronomy 33:27Rank 2 from verse 5
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    27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

  3. Revelation 1:17Rank 3 from verse 5
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    17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

  4. Job 23:8–9Rank 4 from verse 5
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    8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

    9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

  5. Exodus 24:11Rank 5 from verse 5
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    11And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

From verse 6

  1. Romans 11:33Rank 1 from verse 6
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    33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  2. Job 42:3Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

  3. Job 11:7–9Rank 3 from verse 6
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    7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

    8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

    9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

  4. Job 26:14Rank 4 from verse 6
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    14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

  5. Psalms 40:5Rank 5 from verse 6
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    5Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

From verse 7

  1. Jeremiah 23:23–24Rank 1 from verse 7
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    23Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?

    24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

  2. Jonah 1:3Rank 2 from verse 7
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    3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

  3. Jonah 1:10Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.

  4. Acts 5:9Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

From verse 8

  1. Amos 9:2–4Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    2Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

    3And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

    4And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

  2. Job 34:21–22Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

    22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

  3. Jonah 2:2Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.

  4. Obadiah 1:4Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    4Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.

  5. Proverbs 15:11Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    11Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:1

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

searched

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of search, meaning to seek carefully, examine, explore, or inquire in order to find or know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:2

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thought

↗

Sense 1: Past tense and past participle of think: considered, supposed, intended, purposed, judged, reckoned, or called to mind. Sense 2: A thought, intention, purpose, judgment, or matter of the mind or heart. Sense 3: In the phrase ‘take thought,’ anxious care or concern.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

afar

↗

Sense 1: At or from a great distance. Sense 2: Figuratively, remote, estranged, or absent.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:3

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

compassest

↗

Second-person singular present form of compass, meaning to go around, surround, enclose, or encircle.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lying

↗

1. Reclining, resting, remaining, or being situated in a place. 2. Speaking or representing what is false or deceptive. 3. Lying with a person; having sexual intercourse.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

art

↗

1. The second-person singular present form of be: are, when one person is addressed. 2. Skill, craft, or skilled workmanship used to make or prepare something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:4

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

word

↗

Sense 1: A spoken or written expression, saying, message, command, promise, report, or matter. Sense 2: God's revealed word.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

tongue

↗

1. The organ of the mouth used for tasting and speech. 2. Speech, words, or a language. 3. A tongue-shaped projection or arm of land or water.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lo

↗

An exclamation meaning look, see, behold, observe, or take notice, used to call immediate attention to what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:5

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hast

↗

Sense 1: Have: possess, hold, receive, or experience. Sense 2: Used as an auxiliary verb.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behind

↗

Sense 1: At or toward the back or rear of a person, place, or thing; following after. Sense 2: Remaining or left after another has departed or died. Sense 3: Inferior, deficient, or falling short in relation to another.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

before

↗

Earlier than in time; in front of; in the presence of; or prior in order or rank.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

laid

↗

Sense 1: Placed, set, put down, deposited, arranged, established, founded, imposed, applied, stored, buried, or overlaid. Sense 2: Reclined or brought to rest.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:6

COMBINED MEANING

wonderful

↗

1. Causing wonder; astonishing or marvellous. 2. Beyond ordinary understanding or ability.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

high

↗

Sense 1: Elevated or far above; great in height, stature, or position; aloft. Sense 2: Elevated or chief in rank, office, power, authority, honor, excellence, or importance. Sense 3: Great in degree, intensity, fullness, or advancement; loud or strongly expressed. Sense 4: Proud, haughty, or self-exalting. Sense 5: Difficult, lofty, or beyond reach or understanding. Sense 6: In high way, a principal or public road; in high place, an elevated site, often used for worship or sacrifice.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

attain

↗

To reach, arrive at, or obtain by movement, effort, or progress.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:7

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Psalms 139:8

COMBINED MEANING

heaven

↗

Sense 1: The firmament or expanse above the earth, including the sky and the region of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, and flying creatures. Sense 2: The realm above spoken of as God's throne and dwelling place, and as the place of angels, heavenly beings, and the righteous. Sense 3: By metonymy, God, heavenly authority or source, or those who dwell there.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

art

↗

1. The second-person singular present form of be: are, when one person is addressed. 2. Skill, craft, or skilled workmanship used to make or prepare something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

make

↗

To form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

bed

↗

Sense 1: A place for rest or sleep. Sense 2: The marriage bed or a place in which something lies. As a verb, to place or lie in a bed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hell

↗

Sense 1: A place beneath, associated with the dead, destruction, and confinement. Sense 2: The place of punishment and torment, described as hell fire and fire that never shall be quenched. Sense 3: By figure, the depths, pains, or destructive power of death and overwhelming affliction.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

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1O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

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2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

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3Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Selected passage

4For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

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5Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Selected passage

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Selected passage

7Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Selected passage

8If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

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9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

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