Notice
After naming his enemies, the speaker asks God to examine his own way, turning scrutiny toward himself and seeking direction that reaches beyond the present.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What part of your conduct would you want God to examine as you pray these words?
Write on thisWhat difference do you notice between asking God to see and asking God to lead?
Write on thisConnect
Where else Scripture says this
12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 143:10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.Both prayers ask God to lead, naming the desired direction as the everlasting way and the land of uprightness.
Jeremiah 17:9–10The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?Jeremiah questions who can know the deceitful heart; the psalm asks God to examine what is within the speaker.
Psalm 25:8–9Good and upright is the LORD, therefore he will instruct sinners in the way.Psalm 139 asks God for guidance away from wickedness; Psalm 25 describes the good and upright LORD instructing sinners.
Psalm 16:11You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.Both speak of a way God shows or leads, with language reaching toward life that lasts.
Psalm 119:32I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEBoth describe life with God through the language of a path, linking conduct with what happens in the heart.
Proverbs 28:26One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.Proverbs warns against trusting oneself; the psalm's speaker submits his own way to God's examination and guidance.
John 14:6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.Both use the word “way” in relation to God; the psalm asks for leading, while Jesus identifies himself as the way.
Matthew 7:14How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.Both describe a way with an enduring destination: the psalm names the everlasting way, and Matthew names the way to life.
Colossians 2:6As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,Both use movement to describe faith-shaped conduct: the psalm asks God to lead, and Colossians urges walking in Christ.
Proverbs 15:9The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.Both distinguish a wicked way from the direction God approves, treating conduct as something that matters to him.
Hebrews 12:15–16looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and many be defiled by it,Both concern detecting moral danger: the psalm asks God to examine one person, while Hebrews urges watchfulness against spreading defilement.
Revelation 14:6I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.The shared thread is limited to enduring things: an everlasting way in the psalm and eternal Good News in Revelation.
Where this verse fits
Guilt and confession. wanting a steady prayer habit.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The prayer leaves room for God to find what the speaker has missed. You may ask for that searching gaze and for his guidance in the same breath.
Now put it in your words.
Start an entry on Psalm 139:24. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.
Keep goingPsalm 139 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).