Introduction: A Psalm of David that inspired the well-known Hymn, “Search Me, O God” (# 353).
1. The Psalmist’s Awe of God:
a. God’s Searching Knowledge – vs.1-6
Theologically this is called His _____________________
b. God’s Personal Presence – vs.7-12
Theologically this is called His _____________________
c. God’s Creative Genius – vs.13-16
d. God’s Caring Thoughts – 17-18
2. The Psalmist’s perfect hatred – vs.19-22
3. The Psalmist’s trusting prayer – vs.23-24
Selected Quotation:
“Ver. 1. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. He invokes in adoration Jehovah the all knowing God, and he proceeds to adore him by proclaiming one of his peculiar attributes. If we would praise God aright we must draw the matter of our praise from himself — “O Jehovah, thou hast.” No pretended god knows aught of us; but the true God, Jehovah, understands us, and is most intimately acquainted with our persons, nature, and character. How well it is for us to know the God who knows us! The divine knowledge is extremely thorough and searching; it is as if he had searched us, as officers search a man for contraband goods, or as pillagers ransack a house for plunder. Yet we must not let the figure run upon all fours, and lead us further than it is meant to do: the Lord knows all things naturally and as a matter of course, and not by any effort on his part. Searching ordinarily implies a measure of ignorance which is removed by observation; of course this is not the case with the Lord; but the meaning of the Psalmist is, that the Lord knows us as thoroughly as if he had examined us minutely, and had pried into the most secret corners of our being. This infallible knowledge has always existed — “Thou hast searched me”; and it continues unto this day, since God cannot forget that which he has once known. There never was a time in which we were unknown to God, and there never will be a moment in which we shall be beyond his observation. Note how the Psalmist makes his doctrine personal: he saith not, “O God, thou knowest all things”; but, “thou hast known me.” It is ever our wisdom to lay truth home to ourselves. How wonderful the contrast between the observer and the observed! Jehovah and me! Yet this most intimate connection exists, and therein lies our hope. Let the reader sit still a while and try to realize the two poles of this statement, — the Lord and poor puny man — and he will see much to admire and wonder at.”
C. H. Spurgeon
How should this Psalm influence our prayers tonight?
Magnify! 