When we talk about invoking the courts of heaven to bring down judgment from Yahweh, to the enemies of Yahweh, we know that there is a personal component taking place in that courtroom. Our own behavior strengthens the accusations against us. To gain a better perspective of how our own behavior weighs against us, we will review two different situations; one with David and one with Jonah. We will want to pay attention to the situations they were in and how the devil and the satan used these mens’ actions to attempt to destroy humans. In Psalms 139 David cries out to Yahweh to test or try him. David doesn’t call out to the elohims, he calls out to the one that is over the elohims. David calls for death to the ones who hate Yahweh. We might think that it would be in Yahweh’s own interest to judge those who hate him, but it would seem that David (as an intercessor) has to ask for this judgment.
Like David, if our actions and our hearts are upright before Yahweh then when we ask to be scrutinized by Yahweh we will be found faultless. Then there will be no place for accusation from the devil and or the satan from within us. Today we invoke the blood of Jesus over our sins, but we are not to abuse the blood with repeated sins, which the writer of Hebrews makes clear.
Hebrews 10:25-29 (KJV)
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
This gives us an understanding of the life and mindset that an effective intercessor must have. We do not trample over Jesus’ blood covenant. If we remember the words that Jesus quoted from Hosea regarding sacrifice, then we will understand.
Hosea 6:6 G1360 For G1656 mercy G2309 I want, G2532 and G3756 not G2378 sacrifice; G2532 and G1922 full knowledge G2316 of God G3123 rather than G3646 whole burnt-offerings.
With a full knowledge of the Elohim, we are drawn to live rightly, as opposed to living in habitual sin that is not corrected. We have to be sure as intercessors that we are not invoking Jesus’ blood in vain, as if it gives us license to sin. We will see that David gained a more complete knowledge of Yahweh and the Holy Spirit as he writes in Psalm 139.
Sometimes we are tempted to sin. If we don’t catch the devil’s gameplay or his chess move you could say, then we may fall into his trap as David did.
1 Chronicles 21:1 G2532 And G450 [2rose up G4566 1Satan] G1909 against G* Israel, G2532 and G1977.3 stirred up G3588 G* David G3588 G705 to count G3588 G* Israel.
Remember, the devil was created to sport with, prick, and goad the angels, but he also does it to humans who are largely unaware of this enemy. The devil uses the fallen sons of God as weapons against humans; tempting, tricking, goading, sporting, to get humans to fail. Be on guard always.
Now as we look at David’s situation, the satan rose up against Israel by stirring up David. David obviously made a mistake here. We should be aware that there are two factors at work. One is the satan, who is looking for an excuse to send the destroyer, and another is Yahweh, entering into justice for David’s actions. Notice that David’s action to count the people of Israel affect the entire nation. This is similar to the adam being told not to eat of the tree. Yahweh said to David, don’t number or count the people. Joab even questioned this numbering as being a sin to Israel. There are several reasons that this was not a good idea it debased the people to just being a number; numbers for assembling an army, but not human and precious before God. It was a prideful undertaking and Israel paid for David’s sin. Let’s look at a previous study.
“We can learn something here from David. The satan still accuses us before the throne of God day and night, and when we intentionally do things we are told not to do, then there may be consequences that the satan is allowed to inflict on us. Israel lost over seventy thousand people due to David’s sin.
I Chronicles 21:11 G2532 And G2064 Gad came G* G4314 to G* David, G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to him, G3779 Thus G3004 says G2962 the lord, G1586 Choose G4572 for yourself!
12 G2228 Either G5140 three G2094 years G3042 of famine; G2228 or G5140 three G3376 months G5343 fleeing G1473 G1537 from G4383 the face G3588 G2190 of your enemies, G1473 G2532 with G3162 the sword G2190 of your enemies G1473 G2614 pursuing G1473 you; G2228 or G5140 three G2250 days G4501 of the broadsword G2962 of the lord, G2532 and G2288 plague G1722 in G3588 the G1093 land, G2532 and G32 the angel G2962 of the lord G1842 utterly destroying G1722 among G3956 all G2817 the inheritance G* of Israel. G2532 And G3568 now, G1492 behold, G5100 what G611 [2should I answer G3588 3to the one G649 4sending G1473 5me G3056 1word]?
David gets three choices; three years of famine, three months of fleeing and being pursued by their enemies and their swords, or three days of the broadsword of the Lord bringing plague with the angel of the Lord destroying Israel’s inheritance. Three is an interesting number here. Three choices, three years, three months, or three days; each punishment varying in time and intensity. Draw it out or get it over with quick. But David wanted to take on the punishment for himself.
We want to pay attention to the words here. Many times we read these words and titles without ever thinking about them. David wanted a fourth option, he wanted to be punished; he and his family line. But that wasn’t one of the choices he was given. So the Lord/Yahweh/Kurios chose a plague. Then God/Elohim/Theos sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. In this case, we should recognize that the words used are god/elohim/theos, as we are not talking about Yahweh, we are talking about the god of this world who accuses us before the throne day and night. Elohim is simply a title, not a name like Yahweh. It was the satan who came to attack Israel by tricking David into counting the people. Remember that capitalizations or non-capitalizations, or smaller font with all capitalizations, are the additions of modern translators, the original Greek is not written that way.
We see this same type of back and forth between an elohim and Yahweh in the account of Jonah. We just have to read in detail and apply logic. If we go back to verse 1 in 1 Chronicles, we see the satan who wants to attack Israel and he uses David as a tool. It was the satan’s plan to harm Israel, but Yahweh has to uphold justice. So Yahweh chose plague or option number three, three days of the broadsword of the Lord bringing a plague.
I Chronicles 21:14 G2532 And G1325 the lord Lord appointed G2962 G2288 plague G1722 in G* Israel. G2532 And G4098 there fell G1537 of G* Israel G1440 seventy G5505 thousand G435 men.
15 G2532 And G649 God god sent G3588 G2316 G32 an angel G1519 into G* Jerusalem G3588 G1842 to utterly destroy G1473 it. G2532 And G5613 as G1311 he was utterly destroying, G1492 the Lord beheld G2962 G2532 and G3338 repented G1909 concerning G3588 the G2549 evil. G2532 And G2036 he said G3588 to the G32 angel, G3588 to the G1311 one utterly destroying, G2427 Let it be enough G1473 to you, G447 spare G3588 G5495 your hand! G1473 G2532 And G3588 the G32 angel G2962 of the lord Lord G2476 stood G1722 at G3588 the G257 threshing-floor G* of Ornan G3588 the G* Jebusite.
We have the same afflictions here in this instance with the exception of the wild beasts. The choice of three years of famine, three months of war, or three days of plague are similar to what we see the angel of death and the angel of hades bringing to earth. Yahweh brought the plague and the sword of the Lord and the elohim sent a destroyer. The god of this world had every right to do what he did.
The Lord/Yahweh/Kurios appoints a plague. It kills 70,000 people. Then the god/elohim/theos of this world sends an angel to destroy it. Two different things going on here. One plague and one destroyer. Then the Lord/Yahweh/Kurios repented, changed, or cared over the evil or depravity, and Yahweh tells the angel destroyer to stop. Yahweh sent a plague, but the satan had the right to attack Israel because of David’s sin. So the satan sends a destroyer angel. Yahweh then stops the destroyer. This means that there were more than 70,000 killed. David sees the angel of the Lord with his broadsword unsheathed, stretched out over Jerusalem and David mourns. David wanted the punishment for sinning, but David’s lineage was to bring the Messiah. Gad the prophet comes back to David with a message from the angel of the Lord and David buys Ornan’s threshing floor, establishes an altar, and then Yahweh tells the angel to put away his sword. This is where David brings the tabernacle of Moses and establishes the place for the temple Solomon would later build.”
What must have been going on in the courts of heaven in this situation? David was somehow deceived into counting the people. He was baited into believing that this was a good idea. The accusation against David was that he sinned. Yahweh’s judgment was a choice for David. However David tries to negotiate the judgment by asking for a fourth option. David’s suggestion was not an option, so the angel of the Lord went out by plague. The destroyer angel also went out to destroy as he had a right to harm the people due to David’s sin. David stopped the destroyer angel by a sacrifice after buying Ornan’s threshing floor. The blood of the sacrifice covered David’s sin. Through the entire ordeal, David was still in communication with Yahweh.
Now think about this. David’s sin was not horrible. But it was enough to bring intense judgment on the nation. If David had not numbered the people, and had taken Joab’s advice, this plague and the destroyer would not have come against the people. If we look at world events today, we must wonder how many times our leaders fail us, to the point that the god of evil had a legal right to harm many people, and Yahweh must, by law, allow judgment. It is a frightful thing to instill leaders who do not know Yahweh Elohim, and who do not follow Him because they are easily influenced by the god of evil.
Jonah is like most of us, he wants to run from doing what Yahweh called him to do. There is far more to the story of Jonah than we recognize. Jonah knew the prophecies and did not want to save an enemy of Israel, but Yahweh is interested in saving the perceived heathen nations; why? Because Israel (the northern kingdom) would one day be captured by Assyria, then allowed to inhabit Samaria. Eventually Assyria would overtake Babylon and allow the southern kingdom to return to Judah and build a temple. Assyria is a tool of correction to the nations of Israel and Judah. One more point to think about. Once Jonah does go to Nineveh and the people repent, there are people who know Yahweh that are living there when Israel goes into captivity.
“Jonah is another example of correction by Yahweh. As we all know the basic story of Jonah there are a few details to consider. Jonah was hardhearted towards the Ninevites, and he did not want to go to Assyria. From hindsight we know that Cyrus was a great leader of Assyria that allowed Jerusalem and the temple to be rebuilt. But before that, Assyria would take the ten tribes into captivity. Sometimes we are so shortsighted that we are reluctant and even angry about doing Yahweh’s will.
Jonah 1:1-3Now this message from the Lord came to Amittai’s son Jonah: 2 “Get up and go to Nineveh, that great city! Then cry out in protest against it, because their evil has come to my attention.” 3 But Jonah got up and fled from the Lord to Tarshish. ISV
Jonah was going to go to Spain, west, instead of east. This is comical as Jonah must have realized Yahweh knew what he was doing. I think Jonah figured if he was far away from Nineveh that Yahweh would ask someone else to go there to tell them about Yahweh. The other point we need to consider is that Jonah knew Assyria would be a tool of correction for Israel and hoped to change the future. Yahweh sends a storm to get the attention of everyone involved in the trip to Spain.
Jonah 1:4-5 Then the Lord sent a great wind over the sea, and a severe storm broke out. It seemed as if the ship were about to break up. 5 At this point the mariners became terrified, and each man cried out to his gods. ISV
The sailors all called on their own elohim. Jonah was asleep in the lowest part of the boat, so they woke him up and asked him to call on his elohim. The sailors’ cast lots to see who could have done something to cause this freak storm. These were experienced Mariners and they probably recognized the difference between a regular storm and a storm with spiritual significance. Although the sailors tried to steer, they could not.
Jonah 1:9-10 “I’m a Hebrew,” he replied, “and I’m afraid of the Lord God of heaven, who made the sea—along with the dry land!”10 In mounting terror, the men asked him, “What have you done?” The men were aware that he was fleeing from the Lord, because he had admitted this to them. ISV
Jonah is swallowed by a fish that turned around back to Joppa, and after Jonah prayed from Sheol, Jonah finally goes to Nineveh. The King tells everyone to repent, but he doesn’t use the name Yahweh, but instead elohim. This is interesting because the King either doesn’t know or doesn’t choose to use the Creator’s personal name. Maybe Jonah didn’t tell them Yahweh’s name.
Jonah 3:9 Who knows but that God [the elohim] may relent, have compassion, and turn from his fierce anger, so that we are not exterminated?”
The King realizes repentance can save them. In the next verse we see the word Aleph Tav show up next to the first word Elohim. The second elohim does not have an identifier next to it and all translations take liberties with the text.
Jonah 3:10 God [Elohim Aleph Tav] took note of what they did—that they turned from their evil ways. Because God [elohim] relented concerning the trouble about which he had warned them, he did not carry it out. ISV
The second part of this verse says: The elohim of the evil which spoke to do they not do. It’s a rough translation, but we get the idea. Elohim is plural, so using “they” referring back to elohim is accurate. The word “warned” is not in the text. The word “relented/repented” is before the word elohim making it part of the previous sentence. This elohim said he would do something to the Ninevites because of their bad behavior. The Aleph Tav saw they turned from their evil ways and repented. Pay close attention to the Kings speech, the Ninevites turned from their evil and repented. The other elohim of evil did not do what he was going to do to them because they repented and he no longer had a right to harm them.”
Jonah 3:10 H7200 וירא saw H430 האלהים And God H853 את H4639 מעשׂיהם their works, H3588 כי that H7725 שׁבו they turned H1870 מדרכם way; H7451 הרעה from their evil H5162 וינחם repented H430 האלהים and God H5921 על of H7451 הרעה the evil, H834 אשׁר that H1696 דבר he had said H6213 לעשׂות that he would do H1992 להם H3808 ולא not. H6213 עשׂה׃ unto them; and he did
The first line translated reads: And God saw their deeds because they returned from their evil ways and comforted.
The last line translated reads: The God of evil will do nothing to them and do nothing to them
“This is a marvelous account of Yahweh’s heart for all the nations. While satan is the god of this world who accuses everyone before the throne of the one true God (Yahweh), He (Yahweh) made a way for these people to get out from under the devil’s attack. Understand that the devil attacks everyone, saint and sinner alike, but here we see the Ninevites were not followers of Yahweh, making them a large group of people who the devil believed he had a right to harm. The Ninevites were not being chastened by Yahweh, they were about to come under the violence of the devil, but Yahweh stepped in to help. The Ninevites didn’t have a personal relationship with Yahweh, so He sent Jonah to speak for Him. Jonah didn’t care as much about these people as he should have.
4:1 Greatly displeased, Jonah flew into a rage. ISV
Jonah was mad that the people had repented from evil? That seems to be a very bad attitude. I like Yahweh’s response.
Jonah 4:4 The Lord replied, “Does being angry make you right?” ISV
So Yahweh grew a plant to shade Jonah, then an elohim caused it to wither. Then an elohim brought a harsh wind and Jonah, because of the heat and sun, nearly fainted. Yahweh points out something very important about Jonah’s attitude.
Jonah 4:10-11 But the Lord asked, “You cared about a vine plant that you neither worked on nor cultivated? A vine plant that grew up overnight and died overnight? 11 So why shouldn’t I be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 human beings who do not know their right hand from their left, as well as a lot of livestock ?ISV
What a dramatic ending to the book of Jonah. Yahweh works on and cultivates all humans. Jonah did what Yahweh wanted, he spoke to save the city from an evil attack, but Jonah wanted them to be killed. 120,000 humans, probably because he knew that Assyria would lead the ten tribes into captivity. Yahweh does care about the lost, all the nations, not just Israel. The Ninevites were blind to who Yahweh was, and by what we see they didn’t use Yahweh’s personal name. Yet look at the relationship between Jonah and Yahweh. Yahweh is patient with Jonah, spared his life from Sheol, and corrected his attitude. This is a very personal relationship that Jonah didn’t think the Ninevites should be included in. However, we see an important purpose for Assyria after the captivity, Cyrus sends Israelites back to Israel.”
What must have been going on in the courts of heaven here? The Ninevites were sinful, but they didn’t know any better. The accusations against them made by the devil were that the devil had a right to kill them because they were sinful people. Yahweh’s judgment was that he could kill them if they didn’t repent. They repented. The king led the nation into repentance. Through this entire episode Jonah is in communication with Yahweh.
Seeing these two situations, we should notice something; the satan wanted to crush Israel and used David, tricking him to sin. Yahweh didn’t see the Israelites as numbers for an army, Yahweh saw them as important for the future. Jonah didn’t want to save the Ninevites, and the elohim of evil was ready to kill all 120,000 of them. However, Yahweh didn’t see them as useless heathens, he saw that he could use them to actually protect Israel and Judah. What we rarely see is that it is the devil who tries to entice us into sin so that he has a legal right to exterminate humans. The devil is not “all knowing” or “all powerful” so he does what he can to kill humans. Do we see nations in peril or under some type of judgment today? Yes. If their kings/leaders would lead their nation to Yahweh in repentance, their judgments would cease.
David, in this Psalm, asks to be tested. Our lives are similar to David and Jonah in that we are given assignments or tasks, or are told not to do something, but we sometimes fail or are deceived into sin. We then do what they did and pick ourselves up and try again to do better.
“Into the fulfillment the David psalm.”
This is a song for the completion or the end. The end of the age as well as the end of a song service to the Lord.
“Yahweh put to the test me and come to know me.”
1381 LSJ Gloss:δοκιμάζω to assay
Dodson:δοκιμάζω I put to the test, prove, examine I put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish by testing, approve after testing; I am fit.
Thayer:
1) to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
δοκιμάζω
dokimazō dok-im-ad'-zo From G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve KJV Usage: allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.
David asks something bold by asking to be proven or examined. David also asks for Yahweh to come to know him, meaning he wants Yahweh to watch him through his test.
Psalms 139:2 G1473 You G1097 knew G3588 G2515 my sitting down G1473 G2532 and G3588 G1454 my rising up; G1473 G1473 you G4920 perceived G3588 G1261 my thoughts G1473 G575 from G3113 far off.
“You come to know my seat and my waking you consider or understand my reasoning away from a distance or afar.”
David is in the courts of heaven telling Yahweh that since he knows when he sits and walks, he also knows the way that he reasons though things, no matter where he is.
Psalms 139:3 G3588 G5147 My path G1473 G2532 and G3588 G4979.3 my bent rush grass G1473 G1840.1 you traced; G2532 and G3956 all G3588 G3598 my ways G1473 G4275 you looked out ahead.
“My worn path and my rope made from rushes a sign, and all my paths foresee.”
Yahweh sees the roadway that he walks down and sees the grass rope that David made as a sign. Yahweh sees ahead to the paths that David will walk.
Psalms 139:4 G3754 For G3756 there is no G1510.2.3 G1388 deceit G1722 in G1100 my tongue. G1473 G2400 Behold, G2962 O lord, G1473 you G1097 knew G3956 all things;
“Because not is guile in my language. Look Yahweh! You come to know all.”
Yahweh knows that David doesn’t speak evil things and Yahweh knows all. This is why David is asking for this examination. This last phrase should be part of the next sentence.
Psalms 139:5 G3588 the G2078 last G2532 and G3588 the G744 former. G1473 You G4111 shaped G1473 me G2532 and G5087 put G1909 [2upon G1473 3me G3588 G5495 1your hand]. G1473
“The farthest and the primeval. You form me and establish me upon your hand.”
This should read: “Look Yahweh! You come to know all, the farthest and the primeval”
Yahweh knows the beginning and the end, and David says that he formed him in his hand. Yahweh does not force us to be something that we are not, but by our obedience to him we are formed and established in His hands.
Psalms 139:6 G2298.1 [4causes wonder G3588 1The G1108 2knowledge G1473 3of you] G1537 in G1473 me; G2901 it was strengthened; G3766.2 in no way G1410 should I be able G4314 to attain G1473 it.
“Got mad the knowledge you from out of me increase in vigor no not capable with it.”
The Greek word εθαυμαστώθη is translated “got mad”. At first glance we don’t understand this translation. The knowledge of Yahweh got mad within David. It doesn’t mean David was mad at Yahweh, it means that the knowledge of Yahweh fired him up and he was consumed or enraged, so that from out of David he increased in vigor or strength. Something so entered into David that he was devoured by it. What was it that filled David? We will see in the next verse. Yet David almost can’t contain it. Sometimes Yahweh drops into our spirit something that is so overwhelming we can’t handle it.
Psalms 139:7 G4226 Where G4198 should I go G575 from G3588 G4151 your spirit? G1473 G2532 And G575 from G3588 G4383 your presence G1473 G4226 where G5343 should I flee?
“In what place journey away from your Spirit and in what place run away.”
The Holy Spirit filled David so much so that he realized there was no place to hide. David’s infilling of the Spirit made him mad, in a good way. He was so overcome by the Spirit of the Lord that he was fired up. David’s life was not about himself, it was about doing the will of Yahweh. We have to be “mad” about Yahweh to follow him, as the riches and pleasures of the world seem like a better path for many people.
Jonah found out as well that there was nowhere to hide from the Spirit of the Lord. Even in Hades the Spirit is there.
Psalms 139:8 G1437 If G305 I should ascend G1519 into G3588 the G3772 heaven, G1473 you G1563 are there; G1510.2.2 G1437 if G2597 I should go down G1519 into G3588 G86 Hades, G3918 you are at hand.
“If ascend into the heaven you in that place exist. If come down into Hades am near.”
When people go to the moon or are in a space station above the earth, Yahweh and the Holy Spirit are there. If we are in the belly of a fish or in Hades, Yahweh and the Holy Spirit are there.
Psalms 139:9 G1437 If G353 I may take up G3588 G4420 my wings G1473 G2596 at G3722 dawn, G2532 and G2681 I should encamp G1519 unto G3588 the G2078 ends G3588 of the G2281 sea,
“If take up my wings downward day-break and encamp into farthest sea.”
David recognizes that the Holy Spirit is filling him with knowledge about the vastness of Yahweh. Isn’t this what we want? As Hosea says, we want to be so filled that Yahweh delights in our relationship with him, rather than in our sacrifices for our sin. In the knowledge of Yahweh we find treasures. We don’t want to habitually sin if we desire Him over our sin.
Psalms 1399:10 G2532 even G1063 G1563 there G3588 G5495 your hand G1473 G3594 shall guide G1473 me, G2532 and G2722 [2shall hold G1473 3me G3588 G1188 1your right hand]. G1473
“And for there your hand lead me and hold fast me on your right hand.”
No matter where he is, David knows the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave him. David’s recognition of the Holy Spirit in his life comes after he asks to be examined. If we think about this, David’s revelation of the Holy Spirit must have been so intense that he would rather spend his time in the courts of heaven with Yahweh than in his own palace with his own pleasures and riches. He shared his experience with Solomon, so that Solomon didn’t ask for riches, he asked for the Holy Spirit. We see by David and Solomon, that the Holy Spirit is worth far more than anything we could have, or consume, on the earth.
Psalms 139:11 G2532 And G2036 I said, G686 Surely G4655 darkness G2662 shall trample G1473 me; G2532 even G3571 the night G5462 was illumination G1722 for G3588 G5172 my luxury; G1473
“And speak therefore darkness trample me under foot and night time light in my indulgent living.”
The darkness covers over and the light at night (the moon) gives a bit of indulgent light for us. Yet darkness or lack of light is nothing for Yahweh and the Holy Spirit. Darkness only matters to humans, but Yahweh sees all regardless of light. The Holy Spirit sees in spite of darkness. It is like being blindfolded and then trying to hit a fruit with a light saber. Can we learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to that degree?
Psalms 139:12 G3754 for G4655 darkness G3756 will not G4654 be made darkness G575 with G1473 you; G2532 and G3571 night G5613 as G2250 day G5461 shall be given light; G5613 as G3588 G4655 its darkness, G1473 G3779 so G2532 also G3588 G5457 its light. G1473
“Because darkness not obscure away from you and night time like as day, enlighten like as its darkness thus and its light.”
The darkness cannot hide Yahweh or the Holy Spirit. In fact there is an allusion here to the night sky, the constellations, that tell the story of the coming Messiah. Abraham was taught the night sky, and the names of the stars in each constellation to tell the story of the salvation of man. Nighttime only illuminates Yahweh’s planned redemption.
Yahweh can see at night. Is it possible to allow him to direct us when we can’t see at all? Yahweh’s book is written in the dark sky and if we learn to read it we can grow our knowledge of Him.
Psalms 139:13 G3754 For G1473 you G2932 acquired G3588 G3510 of my kidneys; G1473 G482 you took hold of G1473 me G1537 from out of G1064 the womb G3384 of my mother. G1473
“Because you posses my reins, Yahweh realize me out of the womb my mother.”
Yahweh knows the seat of our emotional being, our kidneys. He also knew us while in utero. If we truly understood this as David did then would the world be so carefree about abortion? What if we understood that every human is seen by the Almighty, Most High, Eternal, Creator, even in utero?
Psalms 139:14 G1843 I will make acknowledgment G1473 to you, G3754 for G5398.1 fearfully G2298.1 you caused wonder; G2297 the wonders G3588 G2041 of your works; G1473 G2532 and G3588 G5590 my soul G1473 G1097 knows G4970 exceedingly.
“I confess you that terribly get mad. Your wonderful work and the soul I come to know very much.”
David confesses that he gets terribly worked up over Yahweh. Again he is “madly” consumed and driven by his “madness” for the knowledge of Yahweh. He realized the wonderful works of Yahweh deep within his soul.
Psalms 139:15 G3756 [2were not G2928 3hidden G3588 G3747 1My bones] G1473 G575 from G1473 you, G3739 which G4160 you made G1722 in G2931 secret; G2532 and G3588 G5287 my essence G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G2737 lowermost parts G3588 of the G1093 earth.
“Not at all conceal my bone away from you that make in privately and my hypostasis in the bottom indeed.”
David says that his bones are not concealed from Yahweh even though he has flesh covering them. David says that his organs are accumulating with fluid. It is a nice way of explaining that his life seed is seen by Yahweh as well. David’s private parts, his kidneys and other organs, are also devoured for Yahweh and seen by Him.
Psalms 139:16 G183.1 [3my unfinished state G1473 G1492 2saw G3588 G3788 1Your eyes]; G1473 G2532 and G1909 on G3588 G975 your scroll G1473 G3956 all men G1125 shall be written. G2250 Days G4111 were shaped, G2532 and G3762 no one G1722 among G1473 them.
“My raw see your eye, and upon your papyrus roll all written. Day form and no one in it.”
Yahweh sees us raw or in our basic state and then writes us on his own scroll. He formed the day with no one in it. Yet he saw us, he saw our raw beginning, a sperm and and egg.
Psalms 139:17 G1473 [5by me G1161 1But G3029 3exceedingly G5091 4were esteemed G3588 G5384 2your friends], G1473 G3588 O G2316 God, G3029 [3exceedingly G2901 2were 4strengthened G3588 G746 1their beginnings]. G1473
“But I very much honor your beloved God, very much I empower their beginning.”
The people who love and honor Yahweh are Yahweh’s beloved, and David loves those who love Yahweh. He is willing to empower their origin. David is willing to raise up those who are Yahweh’s beloved. We can understand the reason that the tabernacle and the temple were important, they were to display and make Yahweh known to others.
Psalms 139:18 G1821.2 I shall count G1473 them out, G2532 and G5228 above G285 the sand G4129 they shall be multiplied; G1825 I awake, G2532 and G2089 still G1510.2.1 I am G3326 with G1473 you.
“Count it over sandy ground, increase, arouse, and still exist in the midst of you.”
The beloved of Yahweh, Yahweh’s friends, are counted like grains of sand, and they continue to increase. When David is awake, he is still in the middle of the Lord.
Psalms 139:19 G1437 O that you should G615 kill G268 sinners, G3588 O G2316 God. G435 O men G129 of blood, G1578 turn aside G575 from G1473 me!
“If slay sinful, God, male blood, turn away, away from me.”
David is now asking for the sinners to be killed and for bloody men to not kill him.
Verses 19-22 should be broken down a bit differently. This sentence connects with the following one as it makes a complete thought. There are a lot of liberties taken here with extra words that make the sentences say something they may not say. Remember, David is before Yahweh in the courts of heaven asking for himself to be judged. David just spoke of the beloved of Yahweh and now David is asking Yahweh to judge the hateful ones who hate Yahweh.
Psalms 139:20 G3754 For G2046 you will say G1519 concerning their G1261 thoughts, G2983 that they shall take G1519 [2in G3153 3folly G3588 G4172 1your cities]. G1473
“That speak into reasoning take in vanity, your city” [not at all].
“If slay sinful, God, male blood, turn away, away from me that speak into reasoning take in vanity, your city, not at all!”
David says to turn away from him those that speak and reason to take Yahweh’s city. David is asking Yahweh to kill the bloody men who believe that they can take Israel. These are David’s regular enemies, the Philistines.
Psalms 139:21 G3780 Is it not G3588 the G3404 ones detesting G1473 you, G2962 O lord, G3404 that I detested? G2532 and G1909 against G3588 G2190 your enemies G1473 G1619.1 I wasted?
“Not at all.” “Hate you, Yahweh, hate upon the hateful, you earnestly”
Contrast theses people, the haters of Yahweh, with verses 17 and 18, Yahweh’s beloved, numbered like sand. This should read “take in vanity, your city, not at all!” The statement “not at all” is a double negative. The ones who want to take the cities in vain, are the ones who hate Yahweh. Now the next sentence needs to be connected here. The bloody men hate Yahweh. David calls on Yahweh to hate the hateful.
Psalms 139:22 G5046 In perfect G3411.1 hatred G3404 I detested G1473 them; G1519 [2as G2190 3enemies G1096 1they became] G1473 to me.
“Complete hatred, I hate them, into hateful I come into being.”
“…hate upon the hateful, you earnestly complete hatred. I hate them, into hateful I become.”
In other words bring hate upon the hateful. David says ‘Yahweh earnestly complete their hatred’, or work to make them completely hate you. How can Yahweh make the men of blood hate him? By fouling their plan to take his cities. By bringing judgment upon those men of blood. By slaying those sinners. All four verses connect in thought.
David says he hates them, those men of blood who want to take Yahweh’s cities. ‘Into the hateful, I come into being’, David is saying of himself he comes to hate them too.
“If slay sinful, God, male blood, turn away, away from me that speak into reasoning, take in vanity, your city. Not at all! Hate you, Yahweh. Hate upon the hateful, you earnestly complete hatred. I hate them. Into hateful I come into being.”
In Essence these verses 19-22 are about calling down judgment on the people who hate Yahweh. Slay the sinners! David came to hate those who hate Yahweh and he loved the friends of Yahweh and wanted to build them up. If we recognize the overall picture of these four verses, then we see David’s call for death to the enemies of Yahweh and to the enemies of Israel. These enemies are consumed with hatred and David has come to hate them too.
This is a strong idea. Hating regular people is one thing, hating the enemies of Yahweh, those who hate Yahweh, is another. David divides the difference perfectly here. It is very easy to throw the baby out with the bath water on the subject of hate. But for intercessors, the understanding has to be clear. In the courts of heaven David calls for death to the enemies of the haters of Yahweh. David is asking Yahweh to earnestly complete their hatred, make their hatred complete by slaying the sinning men of blood. We can see why translators tried to soften these four verses.
David wraps up with where he started, asking to be proven.
Psalms 139:23 G1381 Try G1473 me, G3588 O G2316 God, G2532 and G1097 know G3588 G2588 my heart! G1473 G2082.1 Examine G1473 me, G2532 and G1097 know G3588 G5147 my paths! G1473
“Put me to the test God, come to know my heart, then me, and come to know my worn path.”
David again tells Yahweh to prove him. Then asks for Yahweh to know his heart, as David was aware that he has not always been perfect. David then asks for Yahweh to come to know him and his path.
Psalms 139:24 G2532 and G1492 see G1487 if G3598 the way G458 of lawlessness G1722 is in G1473 me, G2532 and G3594 guide G1473 me G1722 in G3598 [2way G166 1 the eternal]!
“And look upon whether road lawlessness in me and lead me in road lasting for an age.”
David asks for Yahweh to look upon the path that he is on and to judge whether it is lawless, and if it is, to then instead lead him on the right path that will last into eternity. This is a spectacular prayer/song for the tabernacle. It is has the components of self cleansing, acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit, building up the beloved of Yahweh, death to those who hate Yahweh, and the humility to ask to be corrected and put on the path to eternity. David could not ask for judgment on the enemies of Yahweh if his heart was corrupt, or his intents were self serving. He could not receive the answer to judgment, which is the killing of the men of blood, if he himself was following a path to destruction. It would be useless to ask for the sinners to be slain if David was corrupt and had impure motives.
As we see, David had a problem when he counted the people. Yahweh gave him three options for judgment, but David wanted a fourth option in order to take the burden upon himself. This was noble, but not acceptable. Jonah was on the wrong path so to speak. He intentionally didn’t want to get the Ninevites saved, knowing the prophecies that they would eventually be the nation that overtakes Israel. He didn’t want to help his perceived enemies to not receive judgment. He also didn’t want to be known as the prophet who saved the future enemy of Israel. However Yahweh put Jonah on the correct path via a fish swimming in the opposite direction of where Jonah intended to go.
In our finite knowledge we sometimes miss the understanding that Yahweh knows the future and we don’t. Jonah was mad that the Ninevites were spared. This is an understandable attitude however not quite right. With David’s Psalm we see that he hated the people who hated Yahweh. With Jonah we see that the people didn’t hate Yahweh, they simply didn’t know him. Once they came to know Yahweh, they didn’t hate him, they repented which turned back the god of evil. But the biggest point here is that the number of Yahweh’s friends, his beloved, are like the sand. There are more people who love Yahweh then we imagine, and it is our honor to serve Yahweh’s beloved as David did.
