EGW WritingsPsalms 139

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 117, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 117, 1897, par. 11

Your peril is greater than you realize. But while your thoughts are constantly intruded upon by the subtle, specious devising of the enemy, you can go before God, and say in truth, “Thou hast searched me, and known me; thou art acquainted with all my ways; thou knowest my thoughts afar off.” [See Psalm 139:1-3.] The Lord knows all about it; He has a thorough understanding of the character of your mind. By Him all thoughts are estimated, all actions weighed. He sees every unlawful thought upon which the mind feeds; He knows every impulse of the sinful heart.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 184, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 184, 1897, par. 4

Christ now sought to divert the minds of the disciples to more pleasing subjects. The time was weighty with importance, and Christ understood the characters of all before Him. “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me,” declares the psalmist, “thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off.” “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.” [Psalm 139:1-3.] With His prophetic eye Christ saw the characters that His disciples would develop in a crisis. Before the thoughts of distrust had entered their minds, even before they had supposed they could entertain such thoughts, Christ knew what they would think. He desired to prepare the way for them to reveal their inward instincts, that he might open to them truth that will stand through all time.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Lt 52, 1876

3LtMs, Lt 52, 1876, par. 37

The Lord’s teaching shows that He cannot use at all in His service the natural ruling disposition of men, for they are sold under sin and must be renewed, sanctified, and fitted for the service of their Redeemer. When Christ describes the life of good men, He commends some excellencies but states that their lives are not perfect. But their salvation is in sensing their sins. You have been so many times warned and you have so many times disregarded the light and gone directly contrary to the special light Heaven has sent you that you set darkness for light and light for darkness. You have harbored motives and purposes, and when you knew you would be censured if you spoke or made known your feelings and purposes, you have concealed them from your brethren and done slyly what you would not have them to know. Did you remember that an eye was ever open and taking cognizance of all your actions? “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thoughts 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.” Psalm 139:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 137, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 137, 1903, par. 18

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, and Thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. ... 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.” [Psalm 139:1-3, 5, 6.]

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

The Greatness of Our God

8T 282.1

“For there is not a word in my tongue,
But, lo, O Jehovah, Thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before,
And laid Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Psalm 139:1-6, A. R. V.

The Ministry of Healing

Searching Into Divine Mysteries

MH 433.3

“There is none like unto Thee, O Lord;
Thou art great,
And Thy name is great in might.
Who would not fear Thee, O King of nations?”
“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 my behind and before,
And laid Thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Jeremiah 10:6, 7; Psalm 139:1-6.

That I May Know Him

A Holy Watcher, August 16

TMK 234.4

“O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me,” writes the psalmist. “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.... 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” (Psalm 139:1-12).

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 51a, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 51a, 1897, par. 5

“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.” [Psalm 139:1-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 23, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 23, 1906, par. 3

David in the Psalms writes, “O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, and 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 before and behind, and laid Thine hand upon me.” [Psalm 139:1-5.]

21LtMs, Ms 23, 1906, par. 4

“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.” [Verses 11, 12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 41, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 41, 1898, par. 21

Because the testimonies reproved you, notwithstanding the fact that hope and encouragement were presented if you would receive Christ and be converted that He might heal your backsliding, you went farther than any man professing to be a Christian has ventured to go. You have left an example for all who are reproved to follow, if they will, and some in their enmity will try to carry out just what you have done. These deceived, deluded souls, unless they repent and are converted, will soon have to receive sentence at a tribunal from which there can be no appeal. They will then truthfully say, “Lord, thou hast searched me and known me: thou art acquainted with all my ways: thou knowest my thoughts afar off. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou has 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.” [See Psalm 139:1-6.]

13LtMs, Lt 41, 1898, par. 23

But while professedly working in the interests of this institution, you betrayed the cause of God into the hands of its enemies, and would now hurt it all you possibly can. The Lord sees all this. There is not a transaction that He does not behold. You may well inquire, “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 light shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” [Verses 7-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 127, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 127, 1897, par. 14

The Lord calls upon us. Shall we hear what He says? “For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard His word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? ... But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil ways, and from the evil of their doings. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 23:18, 22-24.] [Read] Psalm 139.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 75, 1904

19LtMs, Lt 75, 1904, par. 17

How great is the watchfulness of the Deity! “Thou understandest my thought afar off,” David declares. “There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O God, Thou knowest it altogether.” “Thou tellest my wanderings; put Thou my tears in Thy bottle; are they not in Thy book?” [Psalm 139:2, 4; 56:8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 11b, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 11b, 1892, par. 5

The Lord hears our sincere prayers, and knows how to answer, for nothing is hidden from Him. The Psalmist says, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts 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.” Psalm 139:2-4 The Lord looks upon the heart. He seeth all its workings, and He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Ephesians 3:20

Education

Chapter 14—Science and the Bible

Ed 132.4

“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 the grave (see Psalm 139:8, R.V.;
Job 26:6, R.V., margin), behold, Thou art there.

Ed 133.1

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
And art acquainted with all my ways....
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.” Psalm 139:2-6, R.V.

Ed 132.5

“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.” Psalm 113:5, 6; 139:7-10.

That I May Know Him

A Holy Listener, May 12

TMK 138.1

There is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Psalm 139:4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 119, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 119, 1897, par. 10

Wherever you are, remember that you are near to God. He would have you surrender yourself to Him with all that you possess. It is all the Lord’s. Let us sense the fact that the Lord sees us, that He hears every word we utter. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good.” [Proverbs 15:3.] “For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” [Psalm 139:4.] Satan may put into our hearts the inquiry, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” [Psalm 73:11.] Satan would have men forget that God is watching over them.

The Faith I Live By

The Divine Presence With Us Always, February 25

FLB 62.1

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. Psalm 139:7, 8.

Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce

Chapter 11—The Sin of Licentiousness

TSB 89.2

He exclaimed, “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.... Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day” [Psalm 139:7-12].

The Great Controversy

Chapter 19—Light Through Darkness

GC 346.3

Though the night of sorrow gathered dark about these followers of Jesus, yet were they not forsaken. Saith the prophet: “When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.... He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness.” “Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” God hath spoken: “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” Micah 7:8, 9; Psalm 139:12; 112:4; Isaiah 42:16.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 19—Light Through Darkness

GC88 346.3

Though the night of sorrow gathered dark about these followers of Jesus, yet were they not forsaken. Saith the prophet: “When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.... He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” God hath spoken: “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.” “I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.” [Micah 7:8, 9; Psalm 139:12; 112:4; Isaiah 42:16]

Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene

Chapter 2—Our Reasonable Service

CTBH 15.2

In the ancient Jewish service it was required that every sacrifice should be without blemish. In the text we are told to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. We are God’s workmanship. The psalmist, meditating upon the marvelous work of God in the human frame, exclaimed, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] There are many who are educated in the sciences, and are familiar with the theory of the truth, who do not understand the laws that govern their own being. God has given us faculties and talents; and it is our duty, as his sons and daughters, to make the best use of them. If we weaken these powers of mind or body by wrong habits or indulgence of perverted appetite, it will be impossible for us to honor God as we should.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 3 (1876 - 1882)

Ms 5, 1881

3LtMs, Ms 5, 1881, par. 3

If we are partakers of the divine nature, we will live in communion with our Creator and value all of God’s work which led David to exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. We will not consider the organs of the body our own property, as if we had created them. All the faculties God has given to the human body are to be appreciated. “Ye are not your own,” “for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Ms 26, 1887

5LtMs, Ms 26, 1887, par. 3

We are God’s workmanship. Said David, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. There are those who are educated in the sciences and in the theory of truth who do not understand their own organization. God has given us faculties and talents, and it is our duty as sons and daughters of God to make the best use of them. Should we, by wrong habits, by perverted appetites, weaken these powers, it would be impossible for us to honor God as we should.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 35, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 35, 1890, par. 11

Daniel and his fellows saw that the many youth who ate at the king’s table were losing their power of acquiring the highest class of education, because they gave their digestive organs too heavy a task to perform. Consideration must be given to the denial of selfish desires in order to preserve the God-given faculties of body, head, and heart, so that the physical, intellectual, and moral powers may all work as perfectly, nicely adjusted human machinery, conducted intelligently and to the honor and glory of God. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] What for? That I may understand the science of being good and doing good.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 9, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 9, 1893, par. 12

Some women think it necessary to girdle and lace their waist as though it were not made small enough. That is why we see the difficulty of such short breathing, that little breath. You place such ones as secretaries, and when they read, it is almost impossible to hear them. They have such a little, sharp voice. What is the use of disarranging God’s order? Do not for Christ’s sake crowd your heart; it is the machine of the whole body. It is the habitation God has given us. David said, “I am wonderfully and fearfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] Do parents consider that they are laying the foundation for an early death? I am sorry to see those broad shoulders and small waists. It is wrong not to let the human machinery do its work.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 17, 1895

10LtMs, Lt 17, 1895, par. 22

When God works so wondrously, man, the human agent, should become intelligent in regard to the machinery of his body, that this temple of God shall not be misused, and become the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. But thousands upon thousands are ignorant of the house they live in. David exclaims, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] Then let us consider this matter carefully, exercising self-denial and temperance in all things.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 3, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 3, 1897, par. 7

But those who have occupied positions of influence have not appreciated the work which has been so long neglected. They have not become interested and diligent students of the building which God has made for His habitation. They consider it far more important to become learners upon subjects of less consequence to the human agent. Thousands upon thousands know nothing of the body, and how to care for it. David declared, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] And when God has given us such a habitation, why should not every apartment be critically examined. The chambers of the mind, and the heart apartment, are the most important. Why should men and women continue in ignorance, and live in the basement of the house, enjoying sensual and debasing pleasures?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 113, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 113, 1898, par. 6

David writes: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] Every movement of the vital organs is the handiwork of God our Creator, and if the human agent will not interfere, the Lord will do his work wisely and well. All that He requires is co-operation with him, that there may be no disorder in the human mechanism. God would be recognized as the Author of our being. That life He has given us is not to be trifled with. Recklessness in the bodily habits reveals a recklessness of moral character.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 53, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 53, 1898, par. 3

The mother is to teach her children that as members of the household they are to act their part in cheerfully carrying the burdens of the home. She is also to explain to them the construction of the muscles of the body, and their connection with the nerves, which our wise heavenly Father has provided us the means whereby the human machinery is kept in motion. Every organ of the body is a servant to the mind, and has its part to perform. David exclaimed, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”; and yet how few have any special interest in the construction of the human habitation. [Psalm 139:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 90, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 90, 1898, par. 22

Said the psalmist, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] God has given us faculties and powers of mind and body, which it is the duty of all to preserve in the best condition. If any weaken the powers through the indulgence of appetite, they decrease their power of influence, making themselves imperfect. Only by the expensive offering made upon the cross of Calvary can we understand the value of the human soul. We are placed on vantage ground by the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, to obtain freedom from the bondage of sin which was wrought by the fall of Adam.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 130, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 130, 1899, par. 58

The human house, God’s building, His temple, requires close, vigilant, watchful guardianship. With David we can exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] God’s workmanship is to be preserved, that it may be revealed to the heavenly universe and to the apostate race, that men and women are temples of the living God.

Education

Chapter 21—Study of Physiology

Ed 201.1

Let pupils be impressed with the thought that the body is a temple in which God desires to dwell, that it must be kept pure, the abiding place of high and noble thoughts. As in the study of physiology they see that they are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), they will be inspired with reverence. Instead of marring God’s handiwork, they will have an ambition to make all that is possible of themselves, in order to fulfill the Creator’s glorious plan. Thus they will come to regard obedience to the laws of health, not as a matter of sacrifice or self-denial, but as it really is, an inestimable privilege and blessing.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 185, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 185, 1900, par. 1

I wish you a most blessed, happy New Year. May the Lord help you, my brother, to see all things clearly. The Lord has taken special care to instruct you, and I hope you will both heed His voice and help one another to heed the words of Christ, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29, 30. Said David, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 28, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 28, 1901, par. 22

God is above all, and He loves us all. He has a care for the work of His hands. We are to do our part by carrying out the instruction contained in His Word. We are to take proper care of the machinery of the human frame, which is so wonderful that David was led to exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 35, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 35, 1902, par. 8

David said, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] Our habitation, the body, should be carefully guarded and preserved in soundness; for it is God’s property. But because of fashion’s demands, the wonderful mechanism of the body has been terribly abused. The fashion of tightly compressing the waist has brought suffering to delicate organs. All the vital organs are disarranged.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 230, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 230, 1902, par. 27

We know that David said, “We are fearfully and wonderfully made.” [Psalm 139:14.] So we are. Well, now, God wants your brain power; the Lord wants all the strength of your capability of brain. There is little enough of us, at the best. We are all nothing but children, little children, as John calls it; and Christ talks of little children. In God’s sight, we are His family of little children. We are to learn, and if we will only learn of the Master the very lessons He wants us to learn, we shall be nearer, perhaps, like Daniel, than we are today. We shall have understanding, because God cooperates with every soul who will do his best for himself, that he may expend that strength and capability for God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 100, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 100, 1902, par. 25

Some may inquire, “If we are to remain a distinct people, why do we have sanitariums to which we invite every one?” I answer, In bringing men and women of other denominations into our institutions, do we tell them that we are undenominational? If we do, we deny God’s law. We are denominational; but we open the doors wide and seek to have all come in who possibly can come. “Let your light so shine before men,” the Saviour said, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16.] We are to seek to restore to physical health the diseased and the suffering. Many men and women have been improperly educated in habits of living. Many children are sick because they have never been taught the laws of the human mechanism—the mechanism that led David to exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” [Psalm 139:14.]

In Heavenly Places

Caring for the Body Temple, July 4

HP 192.1

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14.

My Life Today

My Wonderful Body, May 3

ML 127.1

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14.

Reflecting Christ

We Are to Value God’s Marvelous Works, May 20

RC 154.1

I will praise thee; I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14.

Selected Messages Book 3

Chapter 33—Proper Use of the Testimonies on Health Reform

3SM 284.1

If we are partakers of the divine nature, we will live in communion with our Creator and value all of God’s work which led David to exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). We will not consider the organs of the body our own property, as if we had created them. All the faculties God has given to the human body are to be appreciated. “Ye are not your own,” “for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

That I May Know Him

The Most Profitable Investment, March 21

TMK 86.1

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14.

The Signs of the Times

August 10, 1915

ST August 10, 1915, par. 2

In the ancient Jewish service, it was required that every sacrifice should be without blemish. We are God’s workmanship; and we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. There are many who are educated in the sciences, and are familiar with the theory of the truth, who do not understand the laws that govern their own being. God has given us facilities and talents; and it is our duty, as His sons and daughters, to make the best use of them. If we weaken these powers of mind or body by wrong habits, or indulgence of perverted appetite, it will be impossible for us to honor God as we should.

The Review and Herald

June 25, 1959

RH June 25, 1959, par. 3

If we are partakers of the divine nature, we will live in communion with our Creator and value all of God’s work which led David to exclaim, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. We will not consider the organs of the body our own property, as if we had created them. All the faculties God has given to the human body are to be appreciated. “Ye are not your own,” “for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 7 [Nos. 419-525]

MR No. 515—Counsels Regarding Medical Work

7MR 373.2

This living God is worthy of our thought, our praise, our adoration, as the Creator of the world, as the Creator of man. We are to praise God, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our substance was not hid from Him when we were made in secret. His eyes saw our substance, yet being imperfect, and in His book all our members were written when as yet there was none of them. He breathed into our nostrils the breath of life. The inspiration of God has given us understanding. (See Psalm 139:14-16; Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8)....

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White

A Review of Experience

LS 339.2

“What rich blessings are there! With the psalmist I could say: ‘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.’ Psalm 139:17, 18. These last words express my feelings and experience. When I awake, the first thought and expression of my heart is: ‘Praise the Lord! I love Thee, O Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee! Precious Saviour, Thou hast bought me with the price of Thine own blood. Thou hast considered me of value, or Thou wouldst not have paid an infinite price for my salvation. Thou, my Redeemer, hast given Thy life for me, and Thou shalt not have died for me in vain.’ ...

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 2d, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 2d, 1892, par. 4

What rich blessings are these! With the Psalmist I could say, “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 sands. When I awake, I am still with thee.” [Psalm 139:17, 18.] The last words express my feelings and experience. When I awake, the first thought and expression of my heart is, Praise the Lord! I love Thee, O Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. Precious Saviour, Thou hast bought me with the price of Thine own blood. Thou hast considered me of value, or Thou wouldst not have paid an infinite price for my salvation. Thou, my Redeemer, hast given Thy life for me, and Thou shalt not have died for me in vain. I will give that life to Thee, to co-operate with Thee in the saving of my soul.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 17, 1887

5LtMs, Lt 17, 1887, par. 18

You must keep alive your sympathy with your brethren. You must cultivate love which works out unity. We are as Christ’s chosen servants engaged in a most wonderful work. Every true, successful worker is a representative of Jesus Christ. The servants of God must lay their hands on truth itself, and appropriate it, and bring it into the life experience. So many who claim to have a knowledge of truth identify themselves with the shell of religion while it keeps truth apart from the soul and it does not sanctify the life. All truth must be recognized as from God, the author of all good; and when brought into the soul by continual practice, it sanctifies the soul. It is the thorough identification of the soul with God. They can say with David, “Do not I hate them that hate thee?” [Psalm 139:21.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 22, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 22, 1893, par. 16

It becomes every soul to distrust himself, to watch and to pray. O, how much need had you, Brother Gage, when at Petoskey to have made one in that meeting from commencement to the close. How much need have you to pray every hour. “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that thy footsteps slip not.” “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there by any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 17:5; 139:23.] O how many go of their own accord in the way of temptation inviting the devil to tempt them to their ruin. The heart is all prepared to receive the temptation Satan has been preparing for the occasion. He carefully and adroitly studies his ground, and the subject he has his eye upon and lays his snare accordingly.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 4, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 4, 1897, par. 18

“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” [Psalm 139:23.] When this prayer ascends to God with contrition of soul, there will be no exaltation of self. Christ will be all and in all. We shall not rest until the Holy Spirit reveals Him unto us as Christ our Righteousness. God then has found the man, and the man is greatly relieved in being found of God.

In Heavenly Places

Christ in All Our Thoughts, June 5

HP 163.1

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. Psalm 139:23, 24.

With God at Dawn

Search Me and Know My Heart, August 12

WGD 226.1

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. Psalm 139:23, 24.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 11, 1889

6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 10

A daily converted man is a vessel unto honor. He keeps the Lord’s will ever before him. His constant aim and object is to serve God, and the Lord marks the sincere desire to serve Him. Let the cry go forth from unfeigned lips, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my reins, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.] “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly, but the proud he knoweth afar off.” “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. Forsake not the work of thy hands.” [Psalm 138:6, 8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Lt 13, 1893

8LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 47

“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.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.] We can see how necessary it is that there should be a union of the human and the divine. All the heart is to be enlisted in the conflict. The law of God is to be written in the heart, or the soul will never obey the truth, for the truth of God may be no truth to one who even may claim to believe it. Persons may profess to love the Saviour and yet make it manifest that love does not actuate them in His service. Why is it that the love of Christ does not wield a constraining power over the life? It is because it has never been brought into the sanctuary of the soul, it has never been made the principle of action. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” [Romans 10:10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 88, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 88, 1894, par. 12

The crooked ways, the perverse doings of those around us, are not to dim the luster of our piety, or to lead us to conform our habits to, and assimilate our customs and practices with, the world’s. Let the prayer go forth from the lips of those who claim to be the sons and daughters of God, “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.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 71, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 71, 1897, par. 23

Silent envy is to be guarded against. God condemns secret slander and injurious surmises. Undue self-esteem is certain to bring the sure result. God humbles the man. God, who seeth and readeth the heart, will judge every man’s work of what sort it is. He only is safe who keeps the Lord ever before him, whose constant plea is, “Search me, O Lord, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked thing in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 146, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 146, 1897, par. 18

There is a great deficiency in the religious experience and manners towards God. Self-complacency leads to this. Oh, for Christ’s sake do not deceive and cheat your own souls with a spurious, counterfeit righteousness. He who searcheth the hearts and trieth the reins requireth truth in the inward parts. He who sets the Lord always before him will walk circumspectly and safely before the Lord. This will be his prayer, “Search me O God and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.] “Come out of her my people” is a message that those who claim to believe the truth will do well to search, and see if the sins of which Babylon was guilty does not reach even unto them. [Revelation 18:4.] “Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxeth cold.” [Matthew 24:12.] This is the reason so many assimilate to the practices of the nominal churches called Babylon.

In Heavenly Places

Tests All Along the Way, September 16

HP 266.6

The true Christian keeps his eyes fixed on Him who searches the heart and tries the reins, who requires truth in the inward parts. His constant prayer is, “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” (Psalm 139:23, 24).19The Review and Herald, October 23, 1900.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 10 [Nos. 771-850]

MR No. 817—What Being Saved Means

10MR 282.3

God’s Truth May Be No Truth to One Who Claims to Believe 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, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23, 24). We can see how necessary it is that there should be a union of the human and the divine. All the heart is to be enlisted in the conflict. The law of God is to be written in the heart, or the soul will never obey the truth: for the truth of God may be no truth to one who even may claim to believe it. Persons may profess to love the Saviour, and yet make it manifest that love does not actuate them in His service. Why is it that the love of Christ does not wield a constraining power over the life? It is because it has never been brought into the sanctuary of the soul; it has never been made the principle of action. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

Our Father Cares

Christ in All Our Thoughts, June 14

OFC 177.1

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. Psalm 139:23, 24.

Our High Calling

Pathway to Purity, May 16

OHC 142.4

Unless the mind of God becomes the mind of man, every effort to purify himself will be useless; for it is impossible to elevate man except through a knowledge of God. The outward gloss may be put on, and men may be as were the Pharisees whom Jesus describes as “whited sepulchres,” full of corruption and dead men’s bones. But all the deformity of the soul is open to Him who judgeth righteously, and unless the truth is planted in the heart, it cannot control the life. Cleansing the outside of the cup will never make the vessel pure within. A nominal acceptance of truth is good as far as it goes, and the ability to give a reason for our faith is a good accomplishment, but if the truth does not go deeper than this, the soul will never be saved. The heart must be purified from all moral defilement. “I know also my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness.” 1 Chronicles 29:17. “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.” Psalm 139:23, 24.32Letter 13, 1893.

Our High Calling

Who Has Control of My Life? June 5

OHC 162.1

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. Psalm 139:23, 24.

Steps to Christ

Chapter 3—Repentance

SC 34.3

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart”—the human heart, with its conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering, wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. 1 Samuel 16:7. He knows its motives, its very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw its chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, “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.” Psalm 139:23, 24.

That I May Know Him

Under God’s Searching Eye, August 19

TMK 237.5

The crooked ways, the perverse doings of those around us, are not to dim the luster of our piety or to lead us to conform our habits to, and assimilate our customs and practices with, the world’s. Let the prayer go forth from the lips of those who claim to be the sons and daughters of God, “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” (Psalm 139:23, 24).28The Youth’s Instructor, June 7, 1894.

Ye Shall Receive Power

Heart Searching and Self-examination, October 4

YRP 286.1

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. Psalm 139:23, 24.