For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Parallel translations
- WEB For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
- BSB Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.
- NKJV For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
- NASB Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, Lord, You know it all.
- NLT You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Before David even speaks, God already knows his words completely.
Overview
God's knowledge anticipates David's speech, knowing each word before it is uttered. Nothing he says is unforeseen by the Lord. This profound omniscience calls believers to honest, reverent speech, knowing that the God who hears every word is the same God who speaks to us savingly through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Heb 4:12–13For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- Ps 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
- Ps 50:19–21Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
- Matt 12:35–37A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
- Job 42:3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
- Jas 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Mal 3:13–16Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
- Jer 29:23Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
- Job 42:6–8Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
- Jas 3:2–10For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
- Job 8:2How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
- Job 38:2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
- Zeph 1:12And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 139:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.