I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
What does Psalms 139:14 mean?
We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not desire to go from the Lord.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside its immediate passage and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Psalms 139:14
I will praise thee - I will not merely admire what is so great and marvelous, but I will acknowledge thee in a public manner as wise, and holy, and good: as entitled to honor, love, and gratitude. For I am fearfully and wonderfully made - The word rendered "fearfully" means properly "fearful things;" things suited to produce fear or reverence. The word rendered "wonderfully made" means properly to distinguish; to separate. The literal translation of this - as near as can be given - would be, "I am distinguished by fearful things;" that is, by things in my creation which are suited to inspire awe.
Key words
- I am wonderfully separated
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I am wonderfully separated. Moses in Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech. (l) "confitebor tibi", V. L.
- I am wonderfully separated
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I am wonderfully separated. Moses in Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech. (l) "confitebor tibi", V. L.
Context in Psalms 139
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Psalms 139 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Book V. Psalms is the Bible’s great book of sung prayer, teaching the full range of faithful speech from anguish and repentance to jubilation and doxology. Read this chapter with the wider themes of prayer, praise, and lament in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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