Answer
Psalm 139:13 states, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (ESV). This verse is part of a psalm in which David reflects on God’s intimate and comprehensive knowledge of him. The language used in this verse paints a picture of God as a careful and intentional Creator. God is deeply involved in the formation of each human being.
The statement “You formed my inward parts” indicates the divine craftsmanship of creating a person. The “inward parts” can be understood as the core of one’s being, encompassing both the physical organs and the immaterial aspects, such as the soul or spirit. The Bible often uses this kind of poetic language to describe the complexity of human creation. For example, in Job 10:11–12, Job says, “You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews. You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit” (ESV). David and Job both use the metaphor of weaving or knitting to convey God’s intricate involvement in the creation of life.
The image of God “knitting” a person together in the womb further emphasizes the care, precision, and personal attention that He invests in everyone. This metaphor portrays God not as a distant or detached deity but as one intimately involved in forming life from its very beginning. Knitting requires patience, skill, and attention to detail, highlighting God’s loving and deliberate involvement in human creation.
The implications of God forming our inward parts are profound, particularly when considering the dignity and value God’s action confers upon every human being. If God is the one who forms each person, then each life is imbued with a sense of purpose and worth from the moment of conception. This idea is echoed in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (ESV). Here, the emphasis is on God’s foreknowledge and preordained plan for Jeremiah, even before his birth. Every individual is not only known by God but also created with a specific purpose in mind. This truth should inform our understanding of human life and dignity.
Psalm 139:13 also speaks to the omniscience of God. Since He is the one who formed our inward parts and knitted us together in the womb, it follows that He knows us thoroughly—our thoughts, feelings, and needs—better than we know ourselves. This theme of God’s complete knowledge of humanity runs throughout Psalm 139. In verse 1, David declares, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me!” (ESV). In verse 16, he says, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (ESV). These verses reinforce the idea that God’s knowledge of us is not limited to our external actions or words but extends to our very essence, even before we come into being.
Understanding that God is intimately involved in our creation and knows us completely can have a transformative impact on how we view ourselves. We can have a deep sense of trust in God’s plan, even when faced with challenges or uncertainties. The knowledge that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Creator can provide comfort and reassurance in difficult times. In Psalm 139:14, David responds to this understanding by exclaiming, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (ESV). This praise-filled response is appropriate and reflects a recognition of God’s greatness and glory.
Psalm 139:13 is often cited in discussions about the beginning of life and its moral and ethical considerations. The belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception is rooted in the understanding that God forms life in the womb. This perspective upholds the dignity and worth of every human being, regardless of developmental stage or other circumstances. The psalmist’s reflection on God’s involvement in creation is a powerful reminder of the value of life and our responsibility to protect and cherish it.