Psalms 139:17
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
American King James Version (AKJV)
How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
American Standard Version (ASV)
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Basic English Translation (BBE)
How dear are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the number of them!
Webster's Revision
How precious also are thy thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
World English Bible
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
English Revised Version (ERV)
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Clarke's Psalms 139:17 Bible Commentary
How precious also are thy thoughts - רעיך reeycha, thy cogitations; a Chaldaism, as before.
How great is the sum of them! - מה עצמו ראשיהם mah atsemu rasheyhem; How strongly rational are the heads or principal subjects of them! But the word may apply to the bones, עצמות atsamoth, the structure and uses of which are most curious and important.
Barnes's Psalms 139:17 Bible Commentary
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! - On the word "thoughts," see the notes at Psalm 139:2. Compare Psalm 139:23. The remark is made here doubtless in view of the numberless "thoughts" involved in planning and forming a frame so wondrous, and in the care necessary to bring it to perfection; to develop it; to provide for it; to guard and defend it. How many "thoughts" of a parent are employed in behalf of his children, in providing for them; teaching them; counseling them; anticipating their needs. How manymore thoughts are needful on the part of God in reference to each one of us: for there are numberless things necessary for us which cannot occupy the mind of a parent, since he cannot accomplish these things for us; they do not lie within his province, or in his power.
How great is the sum of them - literally, "How strong are the heads of them." That is, The heading of them, or the summing of them up, would be a task beyond the power of man. And who "could" estimate the number of the "thoughts" necessarily bestowed on himself by his Maker in all the care exercised over him; all the arrangements for his development and growth; all that is done to defend him from danger; all that is indispensable in providing for his needs; all that was necessary to secure the salvation of his soul! See the notes at Psalm 40:5.
Wesley's Psalms 139:17 Bible Commentary
139:17 Thoughts - Thy counsels on my behalf. Thou didst not only form me at first, but ever since my conception and birth, thy thoughts have been employed for me.