In the first verse of this Psalm the writer expresses the fact that the Lord has absolute

and complete knowledge of us, "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me".

Young's Analytical Concordance gives the meaning of "search" as "to search out or

investigate". The Companion Bible contains a note, "to search out as for treasures or

secrets". It is evident that the Lord knows all about us, even our secret thoughts.

The Companion Bible also points out that "known" has the meaning "seen so as to

understand". So the Lord sees us and understands us. According to The Companion

Bible the structure of the Psalm is as follows:

A | 1. Divine searching

B1 | 2-5. Omniscience

C1 | 6. Admiration

B2 | 7-16. Omnipresence

C2 | 17, 18. Admiration

B3 | 19. Omnipotence

C3 | 19-22. Detestation

A | 23, 24. Divine searching

So if we look at verses 2-5, David says that the Lord knows and sees our every

movement and understands our every thought. He follows us wherever we go, and hears

all we say. It is impossible to go beyond the extent of His knowledge, for there is no

limit to His vision and understanding.

Can we flee from the presence of God? Verses 7-16 show that God is everywhere and

we cannot get beyond His care.

For the traveler, verses 9 and 10 are very comforting, "If I take the wings of the

morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me,

and Thy right hand shall hold me". The writer remembers reading these words after

flying to New Zealand. It seemed impossible to be further from home. And being alone

in an hotel, the Psalmist's assurance that the Lord was present was a source of comfort.

His protecting hand was always there.

The Psalmist extends his survey of God's knowledge and His protection to the time

even before we were born: