Psalm 139:18

ESV If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

NIV Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

NASB Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

CSB If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with you.

NLT I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

KJV If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

NKJV If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

What does Psalm 139:18 mean?

God's thoughts and understanding are far beyond human comprehension (Isaiah 55:8–9). David compares God's thoughts to grains of sand: numerous and beyond a person's ability to count.

David testifies that when he awakes, he is still with God. The meaning is he meditates on God's attributes during the night and during his waking hours. He responds to God's constant thoughts toward him by thinking deeply about God. He is aware that God is still with him in the morning, and this awareness prompts him to adore God.

God's presence in our lives is never interrupted. He is with us at all times, surrounding us with His love. The apostle Paul declared that nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. He wrote: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38–39).

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Context Summary
Psalm 139:17–24 emphasizes God's justice. Prior sections of this psalm bore witness to God's omniscience (Psalm 139:1–6), His omnipresence (Psalm 139:7–12), and His omnipotence (Psalm 139:13–16). David rejoices in God's thoughts and nearness, but despises the wicked around him. He longs for God to slay them. He sees God's enemies as his own enemies, but is acutely aware of the possibility that sin dwells in him. Therefore, he asks God to search him and lead him in the way everlasting.

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Chapter Summary
In this psalm David marvels at God's amazing characteristics. God knows everything about him: where he goes, all David's thoughts and everything about his conduct. The Lord knows what David will say even before David says it. There is no place David can go that God isn't already present. David marvels at God's creative work in the womb. He is thankful for God's innumerable thoughts for him and for God's presence day and night. Finally, David's thoughts turn to the wicked. He considers them God's enemies and his, and longs for God to slay them. David is disgusted by evil people because they rail against God and take His name in vain. He asks God to search his heart to see if any sin is there, and he asks God to lead him in the way everlasting.

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