Ruanne van Zyl
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. Psalm 139:1, NIV
Psalm 139 is a powerful reminder that God not only knows about us, but he knows us intimately. David writes about God’s omnipresence, omniscience and deep personal involvement in our lives. This psalm confers a sense of comfort and reverence: knowing that the Creator of the universe fully understands and loves us unconditionally.
In the first verses, David focuses on God’s complete knowledge of him. He says: “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:2). There is no moment in our lives, no word we say and no thought we think that God is not aware of. This may sound intimidating, but it also means that we never have to carry anything alone. God already knows, already understands and is always near.
David goes on to speak of God’s omnipresence: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7) Even in our lowest or darkest moments, God is with us. His presence brings light and hope, even in the greatest darkness. This promise gives us courage to seek God at all times, knowing that he is always there.
Another theme in this psalm is how carefully God has formed us. David declares: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13). God made us with love and purpose, and this gives our lives value and meaning.
The psalm concludes with David’s prayer: “Search me, God, and know my heart …” (Psalm 139:23a). These words invite God to touch David’s inner life and guide him in the right direction. It is a call to holiness and a desire to live more like God.
Psalm 139 reminds us that we are always fully known, fully understood and fully loved by God. In every aspect of our lives, we can trust in his presence and care.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for knowing and loving me so intimately. Help me to acknowledge your presence in every season of my life and to walk confidently according to your will. Amen.
Ruanne van Zyl
Here, U ondersoek my en U ken my. Psalm 139:1b, 2020-vertaling
Psalm 139 is 'n kragtige herinnering dat God nie net van ons weet nie, maar ons intiem ken. Dawid skryf oor God se alomteenwoordigheid, alwetendheid, en diep persoonlike betrokkenheid by ons lewens. Hierdie Psalm verleen 'n gevoel van troos en eerbied: die wete dat die Skepper van die heelal ons ten volle verstaan en onvoorwaardelik liefhet.
In die eerste verse fokus Dawid op God se volledige kennis van hom. Hy sê: "U is die een wat my sit en opstaan ken; U verstaan van ver af wat ek in gedagte het." (Psalm 139:2). Daar is geen oomblik in ons lewens, geen woord wat ons sê, en geen gedagte wat ons dink waarvan God nie bewus is nie. Dit mag intimiderend klink, maar dit beteken ook dat ons nooit iets alleen hoef te dra nie. God weet reeds, verstaan reeds, en is altyd naby.
Dawid praat verder van God se alomteenwoordigheid: “Waarheen kan ek gaan, weg van u Gees; waarheen kan ek vlug, weg van u teenwoordigheid?” (Psalm 139:7). Selfs in ons laagste of donkerste oomblikke is God met ons. Sy teenwoordigheid bring lig en hoop, selfs in die grootste duisternis. Hierdie belofte gee ons moed om God in alle tye te soek, wetende dat Hy altyd daar is.
Nog 'n tema in hierdie Psalm is hoe noukeurig God ons gevorm het. Dawid verklaar: “U het my gevorm, my aanmekaargeweef in die skoot van my moeder.” (Psalm 139:13, 1983-vertaling). God het ons met liefde en doel gemaak, en dit gee ons lewens waarde en betekenis.
Die Psalm sluit af met Dawid se gebed: “Ondersoek my, o God, en ken my hart ...” (Psalm 139:23). Hierdie woorde nooi God om Dawid se innerlike lewe aan te raak en hom in die regte rigting te lei. Dit is 'n oproep tot heiligheid en 'n begeerte om meer soos God te leef.
Psalm 139 herinner ons daaraan dat ons altyd ten volle bekend, ten volle verstaan, en ten volle liefgehê word deur God. In elke aspek van ons lewens mag ons sy teenwoordigheid en sorg vertrou.
Gebed: Here, dankie dat U my so intiem ken en liefhet. Help my om U teenwoordigheid te erken in elke seisoen van my lewe en om met vertroue te wandel volgens u wil. Amen.
Ruanne van Zyl
Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal. Psalm 136:1, GNT
Psalm 136 is a song of praise and remembrance of God’s eternal love and faithfulness. This psalm, with its repetitive refrain, “his love is eternal”, invites us to reflect on the many ways God has shown his love to us. It is not only a reminder of his goodness, but also a call to continually praise him.
The psalm begins by singing of God’s goodness and rulership. Verses 2 and 3 remind us that God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. This hymn of praise makes it clear that there is no one else like him – mighty, faithful and filled with a love that never ceases.
The rest of the psalm takes us on a journey through Israel’s history, highlighting how God proved his love, time and time again, through his actions. From creation to the deliverance from Egypt, from his protection in the wilderness to his gift of the promised land, every act testifies to God’s eternal love and care for his people.
The repetition of the phrase “his love is eternal” reminds us that God’s love is unchangeable. His love does not depend on our actions or our circumstances. It is unwavering, constant and sovereign. When we are struggling or uncertain about the future, we can trust that the same God who was faithful in the past will also be faithful today and tomorrow.
This psalm encourages us to praise God not only for his great deeds, but also for his character and love that never ceases. It challenges us to look into our own lives, at the ways he has shown his love to us and to thank him for it.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for your eternal love and goodness. Thank you for remaining faithful through all the ages and for your love that never ceases. Help me to see your goodness in every moment and praise you. Amen.
Ruanne van Zyl
Loof die Here, want Hy is goed, aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie. Psalm 136:1, 1983-vertaling
Psalm 136 is 'n lied van lofprysing en herinnering aan God se ewige liefde en getrouheid. Hierdie Psalm, met sy herhalende refrein “aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie,” nooi ons om na te dink oor die talle maniere waarop God sy liefde aan ons bewys het. Dit is nie net 'n herinnering aan sy goedheid nie, maar ook 'n oproep om Hom voortdurend te loof.
Die Psalm begin deur God se goedheid en heerskappy te besing. Psalm 136:2-3 herinner ons dat God die God van gode en die Here van here is. Hierdie loflied stel dit duidelik dat daar niemand anders is soos Hy nie – magtig, getrou, en gevul met 'n liefde wat nooit ophou nie.
Die res van die Psalm neem ons op 'n reis deur Israel se geskiedenis en beklemtoon hoe God sy liefde keer op keer deur sy dade bewys het. Van die skepping tot die bevryding uit Egipte, van sy beskerming in die woestyn tot sy gawe van die beloofde land – elke daad getuig van God se ewige liefde en sorg vir sy mense.
Die herhaling van die frase “aan sy liefde is daar geen einde nie” herinner ons daaraan dat God se liefde nie veranderlik is nie. Sy liefde is nie afhanklik van ons dade of ons omstandighede nie. Dit is onwrikbaar, konstant en soewerein. Wanneer ons sukkel of onseker is oor die toekoms, kan ons vertrou dat dieselfde God wat in die verlede getrou was, ook vandag en môre getrou sal wees.
Hierdie Psalm spoor ons aan om God nie net vir sy groot dade te loof nie, maar ook vir sy karakter en liefde wat nooit ophou nie. Dit daag ons uit om in ons eie lewens te kyk na die maniere waarop Hy sy liefde aan ons bewys het en om Hom daarvoor te dank.
Gebed: Here, ek loof U vir u ewige liefde en goedheid. Dankie dat U getrou bly deur al die eeue heen, en dat u liefde nooit ophou nie. Help my om in elke oomblik u goedheid raak te sien en U te loof. Amen.