Psalms 139:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God encompasses both the journey and the rest, knowing all the psalmist's paths.
The Context of Psalms 139:3
God's knowledge surrounds and encompasses the psalmist's entire life pattern.
What Does Psalms 139:3 Mean?
'Compassest my path' uses the image of God encircling the psalmist's journey. The word suggests that the psalmist is surrounded or encompassed by God's knowledge—there is no escape route, no hidden path. Every direction the psalmist takes is known. This is both a statement of omniscience and, to a believer, a comfort of divine protection.
'Lying down and all my ways' reinforces the complete coverage: God knows the destination of the psalmist's travels, the resting places, and the entirety of his conduct and behavior. The 'all' emphasizes total knowledge without exception or gap. Nothing in the texture of life escapes God's awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 139:3
What does Psalms 139:3 mean?
God encompasses both the journey and the rest, knowing all the psalmist's paths.
What is the context of Psalms 139:3?
God's knowledge surrounds and encompasses the psalmist's entire life pattern.