11 For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him
Psalm 139 New King James Version (NKJV)
God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You [a]comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have [b]hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in [c]hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall [d]fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness [e]shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You [f]covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for [g]I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. ps 139


Sometimes it is used to distinguish the soul from the body (Gen. 35:18). Spirit is almost always used for the immaterial dimension of humans and is sometimes used interchangeable with soul (Luke 1:46, 24:38–39; James 2:26; John 19:30, 4:24). The term heart is used for the whole inner person and includes the mind (Rom. 10:9; Deut. 6:5; Matt. 12:34). The term mind is used for the inner dimension that thinks and imagines (Mark 12:30; 12:2; Rom. 8:6–7, 12:2; 2 Cor. 10:5). Likewise, there are terms used for the material dimension of humans. Body is used for the material aspect of humans (Matt. 10:28; James 2:26; 1 Cor. 15:42–44, 53) and flesh is used for the physical dimension (Luke 24:39; Acts 2:31). Some phrases are also used, “flesh and blood” (Matt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 15:50) emphasizes the mortal aspect of humans. Analogies are also found in Scripture, especially by Paul who uses “earthen vessel” (2 Cor. 4:7), “earthly tent” (2 Cor. 5:1; John 1:14) and “outward man” (2 Cor. 4:16).

Geisler, Norman L.. The Doctrine of Human Beings & Sin (NGIM Guide to Bible Doctrine Book 6) . Bastion Books. Kindle Edition.