On being known
One of the greatest things about being in a relationship with God is the gift of knowing him and being known. Tonight I am reminded of this. I share this Scripture passage with you. It's not in the standard NIV. I bought the NLT last year just to keep me on my toes. After reading one version for so many years, I often found myself just skimming through it. It's always good to read more than one anyway, as no translation is without flaws.
O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my every thought when far away.
You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.
You both precede and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to know!
I can never escape from your spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night--
but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to you.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
I can't even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning,
you are still with me!
[omitted vs.19-22]
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.Psalm 139
posted by Karen at 7/09/2005 12:40:00 AM
3 Comments:
I can totally relate, Karen. Sometimes just by switching translations, a familiar passage all of a sudden comes to life in a new way. I love the NLT because it was made to be read out loud and paints such great pictures.
I recently got a parallel Bible. I have really enjoyed seeing the four different versions side by side and getting a broader picture. I think NLT is my favorite because it really does seem word for word.
And thank you for the reminder. It is nice to be known.
Karen, As I was reading this the song that Melissa Belusek wrote came to mind. It is beautiful, hve you heard it?
I really do like the NLT translation. I may have to get one for myself. Thanks for posting this chapter. I used it in my Dads funeral because there were things I did not know about him and I knew God did .
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