Psalm 139:18
New International Version
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

New Living Translation
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

English Standard Version
If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Berean Standard Bible
If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

King James Bible
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

New King James Version
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

New American Standard Bible
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

NASB 1995
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

NASB 1977
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with Thee.

Legacy Standard Bible
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Amplified Bible
If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Christian Standard Bible
If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You.

American Standard Version
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.

Contemporary English Version
I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.

English Revised Version
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Good News Translation
If I counted them, they would be more than the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

International Standard Version
Were I to count them, they would number more than the sand. When I awake, I will be with you.

Majority Standard Bible
If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You.

NET Bible
If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. Even if I finished counting them, I would still have to contend with you.

New Heart English Bible
If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Webster's Bible Translation
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

World English Bible
If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I recount them! They are more than the sand, "" I have awoken, and I am still with You.

Young's Literal Translation
I recount them! than the sand they are more, I have waked, and I am still with Thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will count them; they shall be multiplied above the sand of the sea: I awoke, and I am yet with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will number them, and they shall be multiplied above the sand: I rose up and am still with thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. I rose up, and I am still with you.

New American Bible
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sands; when I complete them, still you are with me.

New Revised Standard Version
I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I should count the best of them, they are more in number than the grains of sand; when I awake I am still with thee.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I shall count them and they will be multiplied more than the sand; I awoke and again I am with you!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand; Were I to come to the end of them, I would still be with Thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will number them, and they shall be multiplied beyond the sand; I awake, and am still with thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
You Have Searched Me and Known Me
17How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! 18If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You. 19O God, that You would slay the wicked—away from me, you bloodthirsty men—…

Cross References
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 1:11
In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,

1 Corinthians 2:9
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Luke 12:7
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

Job 5:9
the One who does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.

Psalm 40:5
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.

Psalm 92:5
How great are Your works, O LORD, how deep are Your thoughts!


Treasury of Scripture

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with you.

they are more

Psalm 40:12
For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

when I awake

Psalm 139:3
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Psalm 3:5
I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.

Psalm 16:8-11
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved…

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Psalm 139
1. David praises God for his all-seeing providence
17. And for this infinite mercies
19. He defies the wicked
23. He prays for sincerity














If I were to count them
This phrase reflects the psalmist's attempt to quantify the innumerable thoughts and blessings of God. The Hebrew root for "count" is "סָפַר" (saphar), which means to recount or number. This word is often used in the context of taking a census or accounting for something meticulously. The psalmist acknowledges the futility of trying to measure God's thoughts, emphasizing their vastness and the human inability to fully comprehend divine wisdom. This reflects a deep reverence for God's omniscience and the overwhelming nature of His presence in our lives.

they would outnumber the grains of sand
The imagery of "grains of sand" is a powerful metaphor for something innumerable and vast. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sand was a common symbol for countlessness due to its abundance and the impossibility of counting each grain. This phrase underscores the infinite nature of God's thoughts and blessings towards humanity. It invites believers to marvel at the boundless love and care God has for each individual, surpassing human understanding and imagination.

when I awake
The act of awakening here can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it suggests the psalmist's realization of God's presence upon waking from sleep, a daily renewal of awareness of God's nearness. Metaphorically, it can signify a spiritual awakening or enlightenment, where one becomes more conscious of God's constant presence and guidance. This awakening is a reminder of the continuity of God's care, from the unconscious state of sleep to the conscious activities of the day.

I am still with You
This phrase conveys a profound sense of security and intimacy with God. The Hebrew word for "still" is "עוֹד" (od), which implies continuity and persistence. The psalmist expresses confidence in the unbroken fellowship with God, regardless of circumstances. This assurance of God's perpetual presence is a cornerstone of faith, offering comfort and strength. It highlights the eternal nature of God's relationship with His people, affirming that nothing can separate us from His love and presence. This is a powerful reminder of the constancy of God's companionship, encouraging believers to trust in His unwavering support and guidance.

(18) If I should . . .--The original is more expressive:--

"Let me count them--more than the sand they are many:

I have awaked--and still with thee."

With the countless mysteries of creation and providence the poet is so occupied, that they are his first waking thought; or, perhaps, as the Hebrew suggests, his dreams are continued into his early thoughts.

"Is not the vision He? tho' He be not that which He seems?

Dreams are true while they last; and do we not live in dreams?"

TENNYSON: Higher Pantheism.

Verse 18. - If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand (comp. Psalm 40:5, "Thy thoughts which are to usward cannot be reckoned up"). When I awake, I am still with thee. I meditate on thee, both sleeping and waking, nor ever find the subject of my thought exhausted.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[If] I were to count them,
אֶ֭סְפְּרֵם (’es·pə·rêm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

they would outnumber
יִרְבּ֑וּן (yir·būn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

the grains of sand;
מֵח֣וֹל (mê·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2344: Sand

when I awake,
הֱ֝קִיצֹ֗תִי (hĕ·qî·ṣō·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6974: Arise, be awake, watch

I am still
וְעוֹדִ֥י (wə·‘ō·w·ḏî)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | first person common singular
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

with You.
עִמָּֽךְ׃ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with


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OT Poetry: Psalm 139:18 If I would count them they (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 139:17
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