Free Psalm 139 NIV Printable for Your Bible Study Time
Psalm 139 is one of David’s most heartfelt and intimate psalms. It is a beautiful reminder of God’s all-encompassing love and presence in our lives.
As believers, it is important for us to regularly reflect on the truths found in this psalm and allow them to deepen our relationship with God.
To help you incorporate Psalm 139 into your personal Bible study time, we have created a free printable for you to use.
This printable includes the full text of Psalm 139 from the New International Version (NIV) as well as reflection questions to guide your study.
Why Study Psalm 139?
Psalm 139 is a powerful and comforting reminder that God knows us intimately and loves us deeply.
In this psalm, David acknowledges that God knows even the most hidden parts of our hearts and still loves us unconditionally.
This truth can bring great comfort to those who may be struggling with feelings of loneliness or inadequacy.
Additionally, studying Psalm 139 can also deepen our understanding of God’s sovereignty and His role in our lives.
As we reflect on verses such as “You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (verse 5) and “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (verse 16), we are reminded that God is in control and has a purpose for each and every one of us.
Psalm 139 (New International Version)
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.
If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Download Your Free Psalm 139 NIV Printable
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This printable includes the full text of Psalm 139 from the New International Version (NIV), along with thoughtful reflection questions to guide your study.
Enjoy this free resource as a way to grow deeper in your faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Psalm 139 Reflection Questions for Your Bible Study
The following questions are designed to help you dig deeper into the truths of Psalm 139 and apply them to your daily life.
As you reflect, take your time to consider how God’s presence and love shape your journey.
These questions are also included in the free printable resource for easy reference during your study.
- What does it mean to you personally that God knows you so intimately, even your thoughts and unspoken words? How does this impact the way you approach your relationship with Him?
- Verses 7-10 talk about God’s presence being with us no matter where we are. Can you recall a time when you felt God’s presence in an unexpected or difficult moment?
- In verse 14, David praises God for being “fearfully and wonderfully made.” How does this truth challenge the way you see yourself or others?
- Reflect on verse 16, which speaks of God ordaining all our days before they come to be. How does this shape your understanding of God’s plan and purpose for your life?
- At the end of the psalm, David asks God to “search me” and “know my heart.” Are there areas of your life where you need to invite God’s guidance or correction right now? How can you take a step toward that?
You might also like: Free Psalm 100 Printable and Digital Bible Study
A Quick Note About Exploring the Beauty of Psalm 139 in Other Translations
Psalm 139 is one of the most cherished psalms because it offers a profound reflection on God’s love and presence.
While this post focuses on the NIV version for its clear and modern language, the King James Version (KJV) remains a personal favorite because it captures this powerful psalm’s timeless and poetic beauty.
Taking the time to read Psalm 139 in different translations can give you fresh insights and a deeper connection to the meaningful truths that it shares.
For those who love the eloquence of the KJV, here is Psalm 139 in its classic form:
Psalm 139 (King James Version)
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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.
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: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
How to Use the Printable
You can use this free Psalm 139 NIV printable in a variety of ways, depending on your personal study preferences.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Print out the sheet and read through Psalm 139 while answering the reflection questions in your journal or notebook. Consider reading through the entire chapter first before going back and answering the reflection questions. This will help you to get a better understanding of the passage as a whole before diving into the specifics.
- Share the printable with a friend or small group and discuss your responses to the reflection questions together.
- Consider incorporating it into your prayer time. Read through Psalm 139 during your quiet time with God, and use the reflection questions as prompts for prayer. You can also use the Psalm 139 prayer included below as a starting point to guide your thoughts and conversations with Him.
Psalm 139 Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for searching me and knowing me so deeply.
Your presence surrounds me, guiding me in every moment, and Your love is beyond my understanding.
Help me to rest in the truth that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created with purpose by Your hands.
Search my heart, Lord, and reveal anything that keeps me from walking in Your ways. Lead me in the path of everlasting life, and help me to trust Your plan for me.
May Your Word continue to draw me closer to You, and may I always remember that I am never beyond the reach of Your love.
In the name of Jesus Christ I pray,
Amen
However you choose to use your Psalm 139 NIV printable, we hope that it will serve as a helpful tool for deepening your understanding of God’s love and sovereignty as expressed in Psalm 139.
Download it, print it, and let the words of this powerful passage sink deep into your heart and mind.
