Bible Strands
Psalms 139:4
Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the LORD immediately after describing divine awareness of his physical movements and daily routines (Psalms 139:3). The declaration occurs within a continuous meditation on God's exhaustive knowledge of the speaker's existence.
The words — The phrase אֵ֣ין מִ֭לָּה (‘ên millâ) literally renders "there is no word," marking the complete absence of human speech. The verb יָדַ֥עְתָּ (yāda‘tā) translates directly as "you know," stating God's immediate awareness before any utterance forms.
The thread — The emphasis on divine knowledge of speech connects to the request in Psalms 19:14 that the speaker's words and heart's meditation be pleasing to God. It stands in direct contrast to the description in Psalms 50:19 where the mouth is unleashed for evil and the tongue is harnessed to deceit.
Why it lands — The text establishes that human speech originates in total transparency before God, requiring the reader to examine words against divine standards rather than hidden intentions. It demands conscious alignment of speech with God's character, since no utterance escapes His awareness.
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
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
- Psalms 50:19 You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.
- Job 42:3 You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
- Matthew 12:35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
- Job 42:6 Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes.”
- Jeremiah 29:23 For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”
- Malachi 3:13 “Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’
- James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
- Job 8:2 “How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.