Psalm 139:23

Schlachter Bibel

Erforsche mich, o Gott, und erkenne mein Herz; prüfe mich und erkenne, wie ich es meine;

Parallel Translations

Lutherbible (1912)
Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz; prüfe mich und erfahre, wie ich's meine.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Search me: Psalms 139:1, Psalms 26:2

know: Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 8:16, Job 31:6, Proverbs 17:3, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2, Malachi 3:3, 1 Peter 1:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 33:5 - I may 2 Chronicles 32:31 - to try him Job 9:21 - yet would Job 10:2 - show me Job 13:9 - search Job 13:23 - make me Job 34:21 - General Job 34:32 - which Psalms 11:5 - trieth Psalms 19:12 - secret Psalms 77:6 - and Proverbs 4:23 - Keep Proverbs 12:5 - thoughts Jeremiah 12:3 - knowest Jeremiah 17:10 - the Lord Jeremiah 20:12 - that Lamentations 3:40 - search Luke 9:47 - perceiving John 3:21 - he that 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Search me, O God, and know my heart,.... He had searched him, and knew his heart thoroughly;

try me, and know my thoughts; he had tried him, and knew every thought in him, Psalms 139:1. This therefore is not said for the sake of God; who, though he is the trier of hearts, and the searcher of the reins, is indeed a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart at once, and knows immediately what is in man; and needs no testimony of him, nor to make use of any means in order to know him and what is within him: but David said this for his own sake, that God would search and make known to him what was in his heart, and try him by his word, as gold is tried in the fire; or by anything difficult and self-denying, as he tried Abraham; or by any afflictive providence; or in any way he thought fit to make him acquainted thoroughly with himself. His sense is this, that if he knew his own heart and thoughts, and the inward frame and disposition of his soul, it was as he had expressed it; that he was grieved with sinners, and hated those that hated the Lord, even with a perfect hatred, and reckoned them as his enemies; but if it was otherwise, he desired to be searched and tried thoroughly, that it might be discovered: and he might say this also on account of others, who charged him falsely with things he was not conscious of; that never entered into his thoughts, and his heart knew nothing of, and could not accuse him with; and therefore he appeals to the heart searching God, that he would so lay open things that his integrity and innocence might appear to all; see Genesis 22:1.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Search me, O God - The word “search” here is the same as in Psalms 139:1. See the notes at that verse. The psalmist had stated the fact that it is a characteristic of God that he “does” search the heart; and he here prays that God “would” exercise that power in relation to himself; that as God could know all that there is within the heart, he would examine him with the closest scrutiny, so that he might be under no delusion or self-deception; that he might not indulge in any false hopes; that he might not cherish any improper feelings or desires. The prayer denotes great “sincerity” on the part of the psalmist. It indicates also self-distrust. It is an expression of what all must feel who have any just views of themselves - that the heart is very corrupt; that we are liable to deceive ourselves; and that the most thorough search “should” be made that we be “not” deceived and lost.

And know my heart - Know or see all that is within it.

Try me - As metal is tried or proved that is put to a “test” to learn what it is. The trial here is that which would result from the divine inspection of his heart.

And know my thoughts - See what they are. The word rendered “thoughts” occurs only in one other place, Psalms 94:19. The idea is, Search me thoroughly; examine not merely my outward conduct, but what I think about; what are my purposes; what passes through my mind; what occupies my imagination and my memory; what secures my affections and controls my will. He must be a very sincere man who prays that God will search his thoughts, for there are few who would be willing that their fellow-men, even their best friends, should know all that they are thinking about.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 139:23. Search me, O God — Investigate my conduct, examine my heart, put me to the test, and examine my thoughts.