Humanity’s uneasy relationship with the body is a tale as old as time. For thousands of years, God’s people have sought King David’s wisdom from Psalm 139 to inform their view of the body. Today, the ancient hymn still speaks. Whatever your particular struggle with your body, Psalm 139 addresses it by revealing the glory, finitude, and purpose of God’s design.
Glorious Through and Through
Why does the post-labor mother marvel at her newborn? Why admire every toe, survey each nail, note birthmarks and the shape of the ears, and delight at every quiver of the chin? Because she was not privy to the secret processes that brought this child, with all of his unique traits, into her arms.
So,DavidinPsalm139marvelsatthemiracleofGod’shandiworkincraftinghisbodyandsoul.Theruddy,handsomekingwithbeautifuleyes(1Samuel16:12)isn’timpressedsimplywithhumanbeautyandstrength,aswellhemightbe.Instead,ashecontemplatesGod’sworkfromembryonicstagetotheknittingandweavingtogetherofhisframe,personality,andinwardparts,hisheartoverflowsinworshiptoGod:“Ipraiseyou,forIamfearfullyandwonderfullymade.Wonderfulareyourwork
