“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Ps. 139:14). 

When anyone deeply contemplates his own personal existence, he is challenged to explain where his life and thus all life originated.  David magnifies the Lord God when he considers his life. Consider three points about humanity being fearfully and wonderfully made.

1.  Identity Even Before Birth.  David, by inspiration, reveals a basic concept of God’s knowledge about David before his birth.  He states, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Ps. 139:13).  Again, “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:15-16).  Here is a marvelous declaration of the personal identity of David in the womb.  Those who would affirm that there is only tissue and not human life before birth (and even today some saying that a child immediately born is still not viable life and therefore ethically can be destroyed) stand opposed by these words of inspiration.  Notice the words “thou hast covered me” (Ps. 139:13) and “when I was made in secret” (Ps. 139:15).  While the body of David was developing in the womb (cf. Ps. 139:16), David was really existing and identifiable.

2.  Intricate Weaving of the Complicated Human Body.  David addresses the growing process in the womb of the amazing human body, where he states, “Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:16).  Medical science today with all the studies and technological advances can truly verify the continual fashioning of a child from conception to full term.  When one thinks of cells to tissues, tissues to organs, organs to systems, systems to a cohesive, functioning being and all interconnected as woven by a master weaver more complex than anything brought about by industry or engineering, it truly can be said that one is fearfully and wonderfully made.  Just the immune system of the human body is an amazing part of human anatomy.  The world of bacteria, viruses and potential sicknesses and injuries were foreseen by God as needed for physical bodies to survive and thrive.  Learning to keep one’s body healthy in many areas is due to the proper understanding of God’s amazing work.

3.  Indescribable Knowledge of Such a Creator.  David addresses God’s knowledge and understanding with the words, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Ps. 139:6).  Again, “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand” (Ps. 139:17-18).  Highly complex machines and intricate computer advances today are praised as products of human ingenuity.  Looking at the human body and its complexity argues for intelligent design on a scale far larger than man’s wisdom or pure chance.

Jimmy Clark

“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity” (Ps. 39:4-5). 

David approaches the Lord in prayer (cf. Ps. 39:12) that he might be taught the true measure of his life.  Facing one’s mortal life is a sign of spiritual strength not weakness.  Consider three thoughts from David’s prayer concerning life in general and David’s life in particular.

1.  Pray Over One’s Words.  “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me” (Ps. 39:1).  If one continues to read the next verses he will see that holding the tongue is not the easiest thing to do.  James writes of the tongue, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).  One’s spiritual life directly affects his physical life.  Out of the heart does the mouth speak (cf. Matt. 12:34).  It is no wonder that David prayed to the Lord concerning his words for he knew that such affected his life and influence.

2.  Pray Over One’s Wrongs.  “Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish” (Ps. 39:8).  Reading further to verse 11 gives the indication that David knew that he was not a sinless man.  He knew full well the effects of sin upon life and upon one’s quality of life.  Here is what the humble, penitent child of God has that the world desperately needs.  The ears of the Lord are open to the prayers of the righteous (cf. Ps. 34:15, 17-18; 1 Peter 3:12).  When the sensitive conscious of the child of God realizes his wrongs, he has access to the throne of grace (cf. Heb. 4:16) and the attention of a forgiving God (cf. 1 John 1:9).  Mortal flesh should not want to live with the uncertainties of life all around him and not have God on his side.

3.  Pray Over One’s Weakness.  “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more” (Ps. 39:12-13).  Even the faithful child of God knows that he has weaknesses and limitations.  He will admit, like David, that mortal man is not on the same level with God and as a sojourner he finds this life to be but a pilgrimage (cf. Gen. 47:9; Ps. 119:54) to an eternal destination.  How one handles every weakness says much about spiritual development or the lack thereof.  Prayer becomes an avenue of strength that cannot be replicated by any other recourse.  The prayers of David abound in the Psalms (cf. Psalm 72:20).  Various songs in the book of Psalms shows David’s desire for God’s strength (cf. Psalm 18:1; 27:1; 71:16, 18).  If man tried to handle life by his own strength, he will find that time and circumstances ultimately prove such a vain attempt.  Man cannot keep himself from the end of all men (cf. Eccl. 7:2; 8:8).  Life is identified as a “vapour” (James 4:14), as “wind” (Job 7:7) and such things of frailty and swiftness of time.  Life without prayer is life without life.                                                                                   

Jimmy Clark