Psalms 139:14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" can be understood not just as "amazingly made," but that we are "distinguished" or "set apart" by things that inspire awe. This means our very existence and unique design, so intricate and delicate, should stir a sense of reverence and a deeper dependence on the One who crafted us.
This verse arises as David marvels at God's intimate knowledge and involvement in his life, from conception to his very being. He's been reflecting on how God sees everything he does, knows his thoughts before he even thinks them, and is present everywhere. This deep awareness of God's omnipresence and omniscience leads him to an overwhelming sense of awe at his own creation.
Ever stopped to think about how incredibly complex you are? It's not just a vague feeling; the Bible calls it 'fearful' and 'wonderful.'
The verse highlights the profound awe that comes from understanding our own creation. The Hebrew words translated here suggest something set apart, distinguished, and awe-inspiring.
Fearfully Made:
This doesn't mean scary, but rather inspiring reverence and profound respect. Think about the intricate systems within your body – the way your heart beats without you thinking, your lungs breathe, your brain processes thoughts. It’s a design so complex and delicate that it evokes a sense of holy fear, recognizing a power far beyond our own.
Wonderfully Made:
This points to the exquisite craftsmanship. Every part of you, from the tiniest cell to the largest organ, is perfectly suited for its purpose. It speaks to a deliberate, masterful artistry in your formation, unlike anything else in creation.
The psalmist doesn't just marvel at being made; he knows deep within his soul that God's works are marvelous. What does this intimate knowledge imply?
The phrase 'my soul knows it very well' goes beyond a superficial observation. It suggests a deep, internal conviction and a profound personal relationship with the Creator.
Personal Assurance:
This isn't just intellectual assent; it's a soul-level certainty. David isn't merely stating a fact about creation; he's testifying to a lived experience of God's marvelous work in his own life. He knows, with a certainty that resonates in his innermost being, that God is the author of all these wonders.
Works Beyond Comprehension:
While we might not grasp every single detail of our creation (as the commentaries note), David asserts that the fact of God's marvelous works is known 'right well.' This implies that even without understanding every intricacy, the soul can still recognize and be deeply impacted by the overwhelming evidence of God's power and wisdom.
Understand the original words
yare · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Derived from a root meaning to tremble or revere, it describes something that inspires profound awe, respect, or a sense of divine majesty.
pala · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Refers to something extraordinary, set apart, or difficult for human comprehension; often used to describe God's mighty acts and sovereign power.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew 'nephesh' signifies the whole living being, the seat of the inner life, desires, emotions, and the immortal spirit that relates to God.
This passage highlights humanity's creation in God's image, underscoring the intrinsic value and special design present in every person, echoing the 'fearfully and wonderfully made' sentiment.
Job 10:8-12Here, Job reflects on God's hand in his creation, mirroring the psalmist's awe at the intricate workings of the body and God's detailed knowledge of it.
Jeremiah 1:5This verse shows God's intimate knowledge and specific purpose for Jeremiah even before birth, reinforcing the idea that individuals are known and formed by God with intention.
Luke 1:41-44Elizabeth's unborn child, John the Baptist, leaps in recognition of Mary's presence, hinting at the miraculous and divinely orchestrated beginnings of life within the womb.
Colossians 1:16This passage speaks of all things being created through and for Christ, suggesting that our wondrous making is part of a larger, divine cosmic purpose.
ellicottPsalms 139:14: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
(14) For I am . . .—Literally, because I am fearfully separated or distinguished (see Note on Psalm 26:7 ; Psalm 40:5 ), which might mean separated from the womb, i.e., born. (Comp. Galatians 1:15 ; Psalm 22:10 .) Or if the reference is national rather than individual, it would imply, as so frequently, the choice of Israel by Jehovah in distinction to othe…
clarkePsalms 139:14: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
I am fearfully and wonderfully made - The texture of the human body is the most complicated and curious that can be conceived. It is, indeed, wonderfully made; and it is withal so exquisitely nice and delicate, that the slightest accident may impair or destroy in a moment some of those parts essentially necessary to the continuance of life; therefore, we a…
The phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" can be understood not just as "amazingly made," but that we are "distinguished" or "set apart" by things that inspire awe. This means our very existence and unique design, so intricate and delicate, should stir a sense of reverence and a deeper dependence on the One who crafted us.
This verse arises as David marvels at God's intimate knowledge and involvement in his life, from conception to his very being. He's been reflecting on how God sees everything he does, knows his thoughts before he even thinks them, and is present everywhere. This deep awareness of God's omnipresence and omniscience leads him to an overwhelming sense of awe at his own creation.
This verse arises as David marvels at God's intimate knowledge and involvement in his life, from conception to his very being. He's been reflecting on how God sees everything he does, knows his thoughts before he even thinks them, and is present everywhere. This deep awareness of God's omnipresence and omniscience leads him to an overwhelming sense of awe at his own creation.
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"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." — The phrase "fearfully and wonderfully made" can be understood not just as "amazingly made," but that we are "distinguished" or "set apart" by things that inspire awe. This means our very existence an…
