Psalm 139: 1-3, 5, 6, 23, and 24

I had forgotten how beautiful the 139^th Psalm is till I stumbled across it, quite by accident or, perhaps by Devine appointment.

It starts by saying: O Lord You have searched me and know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my though afar off. You comprehend my path and my laying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Recently I preached a sermon titled “The Bridge” which used the story of Jacob’s Ladder as the backdrop. It is easy to equate Christ as the ladder that reaches from Heaven to earth.

I’m sure many of us are familiar with the story. Jacob who had stolen the birthright away from his brother, was running in fear for his life at the hands of his brother.

While sleeping Jacob had this dream of a ladder stretching from heaven to earth with angels traveling up and down the ladder. It is easy to picture Christ being the ladder. But we often fail to comprehend why he is the ladder.

Christ is divine being one with God the Father and is also the creator of this world. But Christ is also human for he was born of Mary in the town of Bethlehem. Thus, being human and having lived among mankind he was also subject to all temptations that mankind faces.  Therefore, Christ understands us, and as David penned in Psalm 139 because you are one like us you have searched me and know my sitting down and rising up. You understand my thinking and the path I will choose. You are acquainted with all my ways.

Verse five and six gives us comfort and joy for it says, You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, cannot attain it.

Because Christ is acquainted with us intimately, because he lived among and was tempted like us, he is able to understand and thus hedge us from behind and the front. It means God goes before and behind us to protect us. And he seeks to impart His righteousness to us which we cannot attain on our own.

David finished the psalm in verses twenty three and twenty four with a prayer. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

The prayer of David should be our prayer not only tonight but every morning and evening. O LORD, search my heart and point out where I fail to attain your perfect character. Search me and see if there is any wicked way in me. If there is, then hedge me within your protection and root the evil out of me, then lead me in the way that is everlasting.

Lead me upon the path that leads to your throne and life everlasting. Amen.