Bible Strands
Psalms 139:24
See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God immediately after requesting divine examination of his heart and concerns in the preceding verse. This moment concludes a prayer for thorough spiritual inspection and guidance.
The words — The Hebrew term עֹצֶב ('O.tzev) is glossed as "an idol," and דֶּרֶךְ (de.rekh) means "a way." The imperative רְאֵה (re.'Eh) commands "see," while נְחֵנִי (ne.Che./ni) means "lead me."
The thread — This request for divine direction appears in Psalms 143:10 and Psalms 25:8, where God is asked to teach and show the way. The theme of human fallibility requiring divine guidance also echoes Jeremiah 17:9.
Why it lands — The text commands a reader to submit to God's examination and accept His direction toward eternal paths rather than self-deception. It requires active reliance on divine guidance to abandon harmful patterns and pursue lasting truth.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Cross-references
- Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
- Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.
- Psalms 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.
- Psalms 119:32 I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.
- Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.
- Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
- Psalms 143:8 Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Psalms 17:3 You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.