Digging Deeper into the word "Search"

Psalm 139 Memorization Plan:

• https://scripturememorywithalicia.blogspot.com/2026/01/psalm-139-scripture-memory-plan.html

Week Two - Memorize Psalm 139:3-4
Monday:  Review Verse 1-2 then add New Verse 139:3  Review 1-3
Tuesday:  Review verse 3 then review all verses together 1-3
Wednesday: Digging Deeper Word Study -Search
Thursday:Review verse 3 Review all verses together 1-3
Friday:  Review verse 3, Add New Verse 139:4  Review All verses together 1-4
Saturday:Move and Memorize Review verses 1-4
Sunday:  Review All verses together 1-4

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Transcript

Hello sweet friends!Welcome back to Episode 5!  We just started to memorize Psalm 139 so if you're just joining us go back and check out Episode 1 of Season 2.   Today’s episode will be short and sweet as we dive into a word study on the word ‘search.

Verse 1 says:  O LORD, you have searched me and known me!!

When we were preparing to memorize this Psalm in the earlier episodes, we saw that SEARCH was a keyword.  Today I want to go a bit deeper into this word.   

As I was observing the text, I noticed that SEARCH is used 3 times, in verses 1, 3 and 23.  When you see a word repeated in a chapter or a book, take that as a reminder to slow down and perhaps you could dig in a bit more. A word that is repeated often is called a keyword and it will unlock meaning to the text. So, let's do a little dive into this word “search.”  

The Hebrew strong number for “search” is 2713 ḥāqar “khaw-kar'”and it is used 27 times in the KJV.  It's a verb and means to penetrate, to examine intimately, to investigate

I wanted to see if there were other words that were used in other translations.  I looked up 6 translations and noticed that most used the word Search but some used the word to Examine or even to “look deeply”  According to the Bible Hub Study bible  “The concept of God searching an individual implies a deep and thorough understanding. In the Hebrew context, this searching is not merely observational but involves a profound knowledge of one's innermost being. This reflects the belief in God's omniscience, as seen in Jeremiah 17:10, where God searches the heart and tests the mind.​​“”

So, let me encourage you to examine your own heart in light of this new information.  Especially since God knows exactly what is going on in your mind and heart at this time. You may need to prioritize things in life, turn away from something, confess to the Lord a sin.  If your not sure, ask the Lord to convict your heart as you meditate on this verse. 

I invite you also to make this verse personal by putting your name or another person's name in place of “me”. You can’t go wrong praying scripture.   

before we wrap up, I would like to suggest a simple action you can take this week: Ask a friend or family member if you can recite the verse to them. Just say, ‘Hey, I’m memorizing Psalm 139 and Ive been working on verse 1.  Would you mind if I shared it with you?’ 

If you do this, I’d love to hear about it! Send me a quick text through the podcast—I’d be so encouraged to know how it went.”

In the next episode we will be memorizing and moving!  Don’t forget to check out my blog for the journey locations for verses 1-4

Till then stay rooted!