For
you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16
Psalm 139 [10.] Even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand will hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me;
the light around me will be night”;
even the darkness doesn’t hide from you,
but the night shines as the day.
The darkness is like light to you.
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.
My frame wasn’t hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written,
the days that were ordained for me,
when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is their sum!
If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand.
When I wake up, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would kill the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
Meaning:
- Formation in the Womb:
For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb: The psalmist acknowledges God as the Master Craftsman, intimately involved in the intricate formation of every individual from the beginning of independent life.
- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made:
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well: The psalmist expresses gratitude for the awe-inspiring and marvelous work of God in the creation of human life.
- Divine Knowledge and Ordained Days:
My frame wasn’t hidden from you when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them: This portion reveals the depth of God's knowledge and involvement, acknowledging His omniscience and the preordained purpose for each individual.
- Significance:
Divine Involvement in Creation: The passage emphasizes the intimate involvement of God in the creation of every individual. From the secret, hidden moments in the womb to the visible, ordained days of life, God is intricately connected with the formation of each person.
Awe and Gratitude for Life: The psalmist's expression of being fearfully and wonderfully made reflects a deep sense of awe and gratitude. It invites believers to recognize the inherent value and uniqueness of every human life as a marvelous work of God.
Relevance for Today:
Valuing Human Life: Psalm 139:13-16 encourages believers to recognize and value every human life as a unique creation of God. This perspective fosters a deep respect for the creator of life.
Identity and Purpose: The passage prompts individuals to reflect on their identity and purpose, understanding that they are fearfully and wonderfully made for a specific plan and ordained days in God's grand design.
Cross-References:
Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." This verse from Jeremiah aligns with the theme of God's knowledge and purpose even before their birth, although this is not necessarily preceding independent life apart from the mother's womb.
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The concept of being God's workmanship resonates with the acknowledgment of divine craftsmanship in Psalm 139.
In Our Daily Lives: As we engage with the challenges and joys of daily life, Psalm 139:13-16 invites us to view ourselves and others through the lens of God's intentional creation. It encourages a sense of awe, gratitude, and reverence for the creator of life.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible