139:13-14 The word "For"indicates that what follows explains what precedes. Since God creates people He knows them intimately, and He is always with them. The idea of God creating David arose from verses 11 and 12. Forming as a potter and knitting as a weaver describe the reproductive process figuratively (v. 13). "Thou"or "You"is again in the emphatic first position in the Hebrew text. David marvelled at God's amazing power in creating him by the birth process.
139:15-16 These verses stress selected features of God's superintending the process of human birth. The reference to "frame"means skeleton of bones. The "depths of the earth"is a figure of speech for the womb. When God was forming David in his mother's womb he was as far from human view as if he were in the depths of the earth. His "unformed substance"is his embryo. The Lord's book is the book of the living. David said God predetermined the length of his life before birth. In view of verses 1-4 this probably included all his activities as well.
God's knowledge of all things actual and possible, His omniscience, does not mean mankind's choices are only illusions. God knows what we will do even though He gives us freedom to make decisions in some situations.
These verses give strong testimony to the fact that human life begins at conception rather than at birth. This is a fact that should weigh heavily in the debate against abortion on demand.
139:17-18 David concluded that God's plans for His people are very good and comprehensive. This meant that every day when David awoke from sleep God was extending His thoughts toward him.
