Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 139:23
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
NIV · New International Version
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
WEB · World English Bible
Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
What does Psalms 139:23 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 139:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart,.... He had searched him, and knew his heart thoroughly; try me, and know my thoughts; he had tried him, and knew every thought in him, Psalm 139:1. This therefore is not said for the sake of God; who, though he is the trier of hearts, and the searcher of the reins, is indeed a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart at once, and knows immediately what is in man; and needs no testimony of him, nor to make use of any means in order to know him and what is within him: but David said this for his own sake, that God would search and make known to him what was in his heart, and try him by his word, as gold is tried in the fire; or by anything…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 139:19–24
23. Search me, O God! He insists upon this as being the only cause why he opposed the despisers of God, that he himself was a genuine worshipper of God, and desired others to possess the same character. It indicates no common confidence that he should submit, himself so boldly to the judgment of God.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 139:20–24 (WEB)
20For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain. 21LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you? 22I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies. 23Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. 24See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Cross references
- Psalms 26:2
- Job 31:6
(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);
- 1 Peter 1:7
that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—
- Proverbs 17:3
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts.
- Deuteronomy 8:2
You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
- Psalms 139:1
- Zechariah 13:9
I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, ‘It is my people;’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”
- Jeremiah 11:20
But, LORD of Armies, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I will see your vengeance on them; for to you I have revealed my cause.