“How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.”

Introductory verses 1-16

The earlier verses reflect on what God has done, He knows every minute detail about me, I cannot escape from his presence nor his guidance, there is no hiding from him. Praise God for creating me, pursuing me, and providing for everything in my life.

Your thoughts to me

This phrase has two aspects:

(a) Praise of God for his love toward us, his thoughts are for us not against us, his plans are to save us;
(b) God’s thoughts include God’s actions. All creation was actioned by God speaking, or his word, so it points to Jesus and his presence in our lives. His provision in Jesus is precious to us, we give him the glory for our life and well being, it’s all due to God.

More in number than the sand

God’s provision for us is infinitely great, it is impossible to list.

When I awake, I am still with You

Just as there is no escape or hiding from God’s presence and guidance, even in sleep there is no separation. We may not be aware of this while asleep, but on waking to a new day, we find we are still in His loving care.
This points to the ultimate falling asleep in death, and waking to new life in him through the promise of the resurrection won for us by Jesus. Psalm 17:15b echoes this promise, “I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.”
The Good News version of this was a comfort to me when I faced surgery; it reads, “and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.” Whatever the outcome, whether I woke in hospital or eternity, I knew I was safe in God’s presence, and that would fill me with joy.

Our Response

The following verses 19-24 give our response in that joy – a commitment to separate ourselves from, and oppose, the wicked who rebel against God, and a prayer for cleansing from sin, and to lead us in His way.
Repentance is not about wallowing in misery and regret, it’s about the joy and delight of second chances; of having our desire and prayer for cleansing answered through Jesus; and of being freed to follow his leading through the Holy Spirit.