16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written,
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
33 Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.
33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
(Read Proverbs 16:33)
All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them.
24 A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?
24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
24 A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?
24 The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?
24 A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?
24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?
(Read Proverbs 20:24)
How can we form plans, and conduct business, independently of the Lord?
23 Lord, I know that people's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.
23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
23 I know, God, that mere mortals can't run their own lives, That men and women don't have what it takes to take charge of life.
23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
23 I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.
(Read Jeremiah 10:17-25)
The Jews who continued in their own land, felt secure. But, sooner or later, sinners will find all things as the word of God has declared, and that its threatenings are not empty terrors. Submission will support the believer under every grief allotted to him; but what can render the load of Divine vengeance easy to be borne by those who fall under it in sullen despair? Those cannot expect to prosper, who do not, by faith and prayer, take God with them in all their ways. The report of the enemy's approach was very dreadful. Yet the designs which men lay deep, and think well formed, are dashed to pieces in a moment. Events are often overruled, so as to be quite contrary to what we intended and expected. If the Lord has directed our steps into the ways of peace and righteousness, let us entreat him to enable us to walk therein. Say not, Lord, do not correct me; but, Lord, do not correct me in anger. We may bear the smart of God's rod, but we cannot bear the weight of his wrath. Those who restrain prayer, prove that they know not God; for those who know him will seek him, and seek his favour. If even severe corrections lead sinners to be convinced of wholesome truths, they will have abundant cause for gratitude. And they will then humble themselves before the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 139:16
Commentary on Psalm 139:7-16
(Read Psalm 139:7-16)
We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not desire to go from the Lord. Whither can I go? In the most distant corners of the world, in heaven, or in hell, I cannot go out of thy reach. No veil can hide us from God; not the thickest darkness. No disguise can save any person or action from being seen in the true light by him. Secret haunts of sin are as open before God as the most open villanies. On the other hand, the believer cannot be removed from the supporting, comforting presence of his Almighty Friend. Should the persecutor take his life, his soul will the sooner ascend to heaven. The grave cannot separate his body from the love of his Saviour, who will raise it a glorious body. No outward circumstances can separate him from his Lord. While in the path of duty, he may be happy in any situation, by the exercise of faith, hope, and prayer.