Sermon Tone Analysis

*A Poetic Theology of God’s Omniscience and Omnipresence Leading to Complete Trust in the Midst of Difficult Times*

*Psalm 139*

 

 

 

* Context of the Psalm

* V1- Yahweh knows David “penetratingly” and David understands the depth of God’s knowledge of him.

* Unpacks what this looks like in the rest of the psalm.

* VV 19-22- The presence of the wicked is a reality in David’s life and seems to be present in his immediate context

* Speaks to the reality of evil and sin in life

* Wrestles with theodicy

* “From the standpoint of OT theology this is the climax of thought in the psalter on God’s relationship to the individual.”

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*God’s active knowledge of David’s life and experience*

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David uses a literary tool called a merism (coming from a word meaning division).

So he sets up these divisions of thought in order to illustrate the scope of God’s knowledge and work.

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David says…

                                                               i.

V2.

You know what I do

                                                             ii.

V3.

You know where I go

                                                            iii.

V4.

You know what I think

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Everything David does occurs within the boundaries of God’s permissive will.

i.

Permissive will is not used here as it is when God’s permissive will is compared to God’s perfect will.

I use this term only to indicate that God allows us freedom within a certain limited sphere.

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David is blown away by God’s knowledge                                                                i.

It is not because of some abstract philosophical concept of God but because of the very concrete and real experience that David has with Yahweh.

This is a common element throughout the OT.

1.

There is always an appeal to look at what God has done

2.      We share the same type of privilege in that we look back to a fixed concrete event in the crucifixion and resurrection.

ii.

Carry this awe forward to us…

1.

You know me.

You see all of me.

There is nothing hidden from you and yet you love me and actively participate in my life.

2.      /Heb 11:12-16/- God’s intimate knowledge of us and of all things leads us to be able to draw near

a.

We can do this with boldness because of our high priest.

3.      /Rom 11:33/- Oh the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways.

4.      /Jn 10:14/- I am the good shepherd.

I know my own and my own know me.

#. *David begins to think in rhetorical potentialities.*

#. 2 Questions                                                                i.

“Where can I go from your Spirit?”

                                                             ii.

Where shall I flee from your presence?”

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V8.

Heaven or hell?

                                                               i.

You are there

                                                             ii.

As an aside…Will God’s presence be in hell?

Will God be with those who are condemned to eternal punishment?

If not, is he truly omnipresent?

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V9. wings of the morning.

i.

Sunrise and the light moves so fast from east to west.

Even David could go that fast he still could not get away from God.

1.

Light has been proved, by many experiments, to travel at the astonishing rate of 194,188 miles in one second of time; and comes from the sun to the earth, a distance of 95,513,794 miles in 8 minutes and nearly 12 seconds!

But, could I even fly upon the wings or rays of the morning light, which diffuses itself with such velocity over the globe from east to west, instead of being beyond Thy reach, or by this sudden transition be able to escape Thy notice, Thy arm could still at pleasure prevent or arrest my progress, and I should still be encircled with the immensity of Thy essence.

The sentiment in this noble passage is remarkably striking and the description truly sublime[1]

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V10.

David develops the idea of God’s hand more here by showing that he is not merely restrictive.

His hand leads and holds.

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V11, 12.

Even the most oppressive darkness cannot hide David.

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Summary of these two parts…

                                                               i.

PART 1- You know everything about me and participate actively in my life

                                                             ii.

PART 2- There is no way I could ever get away from you.

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This begs the question…Why?

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PART 3 answers.

#. *God takes responsibility for His creation.*

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V13.

For you formed my inward parts…                                                                i.

God made David and therefore takes responsibility for him

                                                             ii.

We see this idea developed in its fullness in the redemption.

1.      Rom 8:18-23.

Redeems his people and redeems his creation (world etc.)

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V.16.

God not only made David, but he formed his days.

i.

Opens the box for a huge theological and philosophical debate about God’s sovereignty, foreknowledge, predestination, free will, etc.

                                                             ii.

Let’s just take the word at face value.

1.      V 16.

In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

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Very similar to Paul’s sermon in /Acts 17/.

i.

Creates, Ordains, Judges

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V.17, 18. God’s thoughts toward David are precious                                                                i.

Rare, honored, dignified, heavy, difficult.

ii.

I don’t think David is dealing in the realm of warm fuzzies.

iii.

“To me”

1.      in regard to me, toward me, in reference to me.