Psalms 139:18 Meaning and Explanation
“If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God's thoughts about the psalmist outnumber the sand and persist every moment.
The Context of Psalms 139:18
The psalmist recognizes that even at the moment of awakening, he remains in God's presence.
What Does Psalms 139:18 Mean?
The attempt to count God's thoughts would fail because their number exceeds the sand of the seashore—a biblical symbol for innumerability. The conditional 'if I should count them' acknowledges the impossibility. The psalmist, unable to count them all, can only recognize their uncountable multitude. This is not a complaint about quantity but an expression of wonder at the inexhaustible nature of God's attention.
'When I awake, I am still with thee' shifts the focus from past and future to the present moment. Upon waking—returning to consciousness—the psalmist finds himself still in the presence of God. This suggests continuity: whether sleeping or awake, God's presence persists. The constant background of existence is God's company. Each new day begins with this reassurance of divine presence and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 139:18
What does Psalms 139:18 mean?
God's thoughts about the psalmist outnumber the sand and persist every moment.
What is the context of Psalms 139:18?
The psalmist recognizes that even at the moment of awakening, he remains in God's presence.