THE OMNI GOD: REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 139-1
Psalms 139 is a psalm that captures the attributes of God like no other and the essence of David’s reflections depict an omni- God, who is all inclusive in more ways than one.
THE OMNISCIENT GOD
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (v 1-6)
God knows everything. This is infinite knowledge, which man cannot fully comprehend, and is too lofty to attain. Man’s greatest quest is to increase his knowledge, because knowledge equates to power and success. One becomes an expert only when knowledge increases, and expertise is highly valued. Yet, the limitations to knowledge are frustrating for man. Not so for God, who by definition has infinite knowledge. And the most amazing aspect of this knowledge is the fact that this is a personalized knowledge reflected in the love of God.
He searches me and knows me thoroughly. He knows me and has perfect empathy for me. Every thought that goes through my mind and every word that I am about to speak is already known by him. Knowledge cannot get any better than that. He is there before me and behind me and hems me in with a loving knowledge of myself. He knows me better than I know myself. For a person who has received and accepted the love of God made real through faith in Christ, this is the greatest reassurance available. For one who has rejected God, it is the greatest opportunity lost.
