Psalms 139:2

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, etc.] Here the psalmist proceeds to observe the particular circumstances and actions of his life, which were known to God; as his “downsitting”, either to take rest, as weary persons do. Schultensf1845 explains it of the quiet rest in sleep; this the Lord knew when he betook himself to it, and to whose care he committed himself and family; under whose protection he laid himself down, and on whom he depended for safety, (<190408>Psalm 4:8). Or, since lying down to sleep is afterwards mentioned, this may respect sitting down at table to eat and drink; when the Lord knows whether men use the creatures aright, or abuse them; whether they receive…”

“Thou knowest my downsitting ... - In the various circumstances of life, thou knowest me. Thou knowest me in one place as well as in another. I cannot so change my position that thou will not see me, and that thou wilt not be perfectly acquainted with all that I say, and all that I do. In every posture, in every movement, in every occupation, thou hast a full knowledge of me. I cannot go out of thy sight; I cannot put myself into such a position that thou wilt not see me. Thou understandest my thought - Hebrew, “As to my thought.” That is, Thou seest what my plans are; what I design to do; “what I am thinking about.” A most solemn reflection! How unwilling would bad people be - would even…”

“Afar off - Thou knowest what my thoughts will be in such and such circumstances, long before I know it, yea from all eternity. Psalms 139:3”

“139:2 The phrase sit down or stand up refers to daily activities (cp. Deut 6:6-9).”

“knowest: Psa 56:8; Gen 16:13; Kg2 6:12, Kg2 19:27; Pro 15:3; Isa 37:28; Zac 4:10 understandest: Psa 94:11; Mat 9:4; Luk 9:47; Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25; Co1 4:5 afar off: Eze 38:10, Eze 38:11, Eze 38:17 Psalms 139:3”