Fearfully and wonderfully made — David on the dignity of being you.
Long before genetics, David sang about a God who designed every detail of you.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Fearfully' = with awe — making you was a serious act.
- 02'Wonderfully' = with skill and intention.
- 03The whole psalm is about being fully known by God.
- 04Your worth isn't earned; it was built in.
Read along.
'I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.' Psalm 139 is a long meditation on being fully known by God. Verse 14 is the gratitude that pours out of it.
'Fearfully' is an old word for 'with awe.' David is saying: making me was a serious, weighty act. Not careless. Not accidental.
'Wonderfully' means with skill and intention. Like a craftsman who knew exactly what he was doing. Every detail on purpose.
And the whole psalm sets the stage. God knit you together in the womb. He knew every day of your life before any of them happened. Nothing about you is hidden from him.
Which means your worth isn't something you have to earn. It was built in. You are fearfully and wonderfully made — by a God who knew exactly who he was making.