Psalm - 139:6



6 This knowledge is beyond me. It's lofty. I can't attain it.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Psalm 139:6.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it.
O knowledge too wonderful for me! it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Knowledge too wonderful for me, It hath been set on high, I am not able for it.
Such knowledge is a wonder greater than my powers; it is so high that I may not come near it.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; Too high, I cannot attain unto it.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Thy knowledge is wonderful above me Two meanings may be attached to mmny: mimmenni. We may read upon me, or, in relation to me, and understand David to mean that God's knowledge is seen to be wonderful in forming such a creature as man, who, to use an old saying', may be called a little world in himself; nor can we think without astonishment of the consummate artifice apparent in the structure of the human body, and of the excellent endowments with which the human soul is invested. But the context demands another interpretation; and we are to suppose that David, prosecuting the same idea upon which he had already insisted, exclaims against the folly of measuring God's knowledge by our own, when it rises prodigiously above us. Many when they hear God spoken of conceive of him as like unto themselves, and such presumption is most condemnable. Very commonly they will not allow his knowledge to be greater than what comes up to their own apprehensions of things. David, on the contrary, confesses it to be beyond his comprehension, virtually declaring that words could not express this truth of the absoluteness with which all things stand patent to the eye of God, this being a knowledge having' neither bound nor measure, so that he could only contemplate the extent of it with conscious imbecility.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me - literally, "Wonderful knowledge away from me," or, more than I can comprehend. It is beyond my reach; it surpasses all my powers to comprehend it.
It is high, I cannot attain unto it - It is so exalted that I cannot grasp it; I cannot understand how it can be.

Such knowledge is too wonderful - I think, with Kennicott, that פלאיה דעת pelaiah daath should be read פלאי הדעת peli haddaath, "This knowledge," ממני mimmenni, "is beyond or above me." This change is made by taking the ה he from the end of פלאיה pelaiah, which is really no word, and joining it with דעת daath; which, by giving it an article, makes it demonstrative, הדעת haddaath, "This knowledge." This kind of knowledye, God's knowledge, that takes in all things, and their reasons, essences, tendencies, and issues, is far beyond me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,.... Meaning either the knowledge of himself, such as God had of him, which was vastly superior to what he had of himself; and especially the knowledge of other persons and things, whether visible or invisible, in heaven, earth, or hell; things past, present, and to come; or else the manner in which God knew all this was amazing to him, and quite impenetrable by him; that he did know him, his thoughts, his words and actions, and so those of all others, was easy of belief; but how he should know all this was past his conception, and struck him with the profoundest admiration;
it is high; sublime, out of his reach, beyond his comprehension;
I cannot attain unto it; neither to such knowledge, nor to comprehend what it is in God; and how he should have it, and in what manner he exercises it. Kimchi, Jarchi, and Aben Ezra, connect the words with the following, as if the matter of his wonder and astonishment was the omnipresence of God, or where he should find a place to flee from him.

I cannot - Apprehend in what manner thou dost so presently know all things.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Psalm 139:6

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.