If there is a passage of Scripture that better expresses the intimate, interpersonal relationship of an all-knowing God with one of His children than Psalm 139, I don’t know what it might be.  It begins with David’s acknowledgement that God has searched and known him and concludes with a prayer that God would further that effort and “see if there be any wicked way” in him” and lead him “in the way everlasting” (v. 24).  The blessing of this type of relationship is expressed in multiple ways throughout the psalm (and elsewhere throughout the Word).  But the fifth verse expresses it concisely:  “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.”

            The Caution.  David writes that he is “beset” by God both behind and before, in other words, in all directions.  The word beset does not strike us as a comfortable word.  We use the word in reference to trouble or problems.  That usage reflects the meaning of the Hebrew infinitive, which is to cramp or to confine.  It is most frequently translated besiege in the Authorized Version.  There is an aspect of his personal relationship with God that tends to “cramp” David’s style or to “confine” his wayward behavior.  David must be on guard regarding what he does because he is certain that God           is watching.  There is no place where he can flee to avoid the consequences of sin.  God is everywhere present and on guard.  David realizes that God does not reside in heaven at some infinite distance from him and oblivious to his deeds and thoughts.  In fact, he concedes, “thine hand is upon me.”  David recognizes that God’s hand guides and restrains, and even chastens him. 

            But we must note that David regards this aspect of God’s presence surrounding him and God’s hand restraining him, or even chastening him, to be a signal part of the blessing of being redeemed and intimately acquainted with a holy and righteous God.  So far from rejecting it or even resenting it, he requests it:  “Search me, O God, and know my heart:  try me, and know my thoughts:  And see if there be any wicked way in me” (vv. 23, 24a).  Can there be a greater blessing this side of the perfection awaiting us in eternity than to have God’s presence to caution us against sin and all its harmful consequences?

            The Comfort.  But God’s presence is not only cautionary; it is also consolatory.  The hand of God that may restrain David or chasten him when he does not submit to that restraint is also the hand that protects him:  “Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God,” David acknowledges in prayer (v. 19).  It is also the hand that leads him (v. 10) and the hand that comforts him:  “thy right hand shall hold me” (v. 10).  And the One who is near enough to restrict his behavior is also the One who is near enough to speak to him words of comfort and blessing:  “How precious also are thy thoughts to me, O God!  how great is the sum of them! (v. 17).  With such a Presence, David never feels deserted and alone.  With such a Presence, David has a constant companion and One with whom he constantly communes.  When questions arise and troubles intrude, the One whose hand is upon Him is there to answer or to deliver.

            We want and need God’s closeness in comfort and encouragement and in protection and deliverance from danger.  But the One who provides that is also the One who confines and corrects us.  And though the Lord is always near His own, we are never so near Him as when we invite Him to search us and welcome His trying us for sin.  Without such direct and pointed sanctifying work there can be no lasting and genuine fellowship and comfort.