How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. Psalm 139:17-18
The thoughts of God are yakar – precious, weighty, valuable. That is established throughout scripture. But as I’ve read this particular verse in several translations, I notice two different perspectives.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! ESV
To me: God’s thoughts have intrinsic value but the psalmist personally finds them precious. This verse follows passages praising God’s infinite knowledge and glory.
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered! NLT
About me: God’s thoughts about me are weighty and they are many. He thinks of me always and knows me throughout. This too is consistent with rest of Psalm acknowledging God’s intimate knowledge of the psalmist (and us all).
I like both readings and feel the weight and preciousness of each. My soul praises Him for His thoughts are magnificent and above all. And I weep for joy at the lavish attention of His thoughts towards me.
You go before me and follow me.
You place Your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand! Psalm 139:5-6
