10 Key Bible Verses on God’s Omniscience

This article is part of the Key Bible Verses series.

All commentary notes adapted from the ESV Study Bible.

1. Psalm 139:1–6

O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it. Read More

The Lord knows all there is to know about me. Psa, 139:1 states the theme of the whole psalm (you have searched me and known me), and Psa.139:2–6 develop that further as a general assertion: God knows all of my activities, all of my words, even my inmost thoughts. The response (Psa. 139:6) is, such knowledge is too wonderful for me, i.e., beyond my ability to comprehend (see note on “too marvelous,” Psa, 131:1–2).

2. Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good. Read More

The eyes of the LORD is a major theme in Proverbs: the Lord knows the actions and hearts of all, so he is neither pleased with nor fooled by one who offers sacrifices while continuing in the way of wickedness (Prov. 15: 8–9, Prov. 15:11, Prov. 15:26, Prov. 15:29).

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3. Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Read More

God is completely sovereign. He knows all things even before they happen, so he knew Jeremiah even before he was formed in his mother’s womb. God’s plan for Jeremiah was that he be consecrated, or “set apart,” for preaching God’s word. Jeremiah’s ministry is to be a prophet to the nations, not just to Israel (Jer. 25:1–14; Jer. 46:1–Jer. 51:64).

4. Luke 12:6–7

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Read More

The observations about sparrows and the hairs of your head show God’s providential care over the smallest details of life. Of more value signals a “lesser to greater” argument: if A (the lesser) is true, then how much more B (the greater) must be true. That is, if God even cares about sparrows, how much greater is his care for every one of his own children, whose value is so much greater (cf. vv. 22–31; see also note on Matt. 6:26). Fear not. Fear of God (Luke 12:5) results in not needing to fear anyone or anything else.

5. Psalm 33:13–14

The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth. Read More

God’s gaze discerns all. The Lord sits enthroned high over the earth, but that does not make him distant; rather, he is so great that he observes all the deeds of mankind. Further, his eye . . . is on those who fear him, to care for them as a people (v. 18) and as individuals (Ps.33:19).

6. Isaiah 40:13–14

Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding? Read More

God alone established the creation. He is uniquely powerful and wise, so he is worthy of his people’s trust (cf. Job 38–41; Rom. 11:34).

7. Romans 11:33–34

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?” Read More

As he concludes his setting forth of God’s great plan in the history of salvation (chs. 1–11), Paul breaks forth into praise. God’s wisdom and ways are far beyond the understanding of human beings, and hence he deserves all the glory.

The words of Isa. 40:13 teach that no human being knows the mind of the Lord apart from revelation, and no one can serve as God’s adviser. Likewise the majestic words of Job 41:11 are a reminder that no one ultimately gives anything to God. Instead, everything humans have is a gift from God (1 Cor. 4:7).

8. Hebrews 4:12–13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Read More

word of God. Usually this phrase in Hebrews refers to the message of salvation (13:7; cf. 4:2), but here the “word” is pictured as God’s personal utterance, living, active, sharp, piercing, and discerning (v. 12), with eyes that expose (v. 13). The Word of God then acts as God himself, so that one’s innermost thoughts and intentions are exposed. This happens constantly in Christians’ lives.

9. Acts 2:23

this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Read More

Peter combines a clear affirmation of God’s sovereignty over world events and human responsibility for evil deeds. Although Jesus was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, showing that God had both foreknown and foreordained that Jesus would be crucified, that still did not absolve of responsibility those who contributed to his death, for Peter goes on to say, “you crucified and killed” him. Though one may not understand fully how God’s sovereign ordination of events can be compatible with human responsibility for evil, both are clearly affirmed here and in many other passages of Scripture (cf. notes on 3:13–16; 3:17; 4:27; 4:28). by the hands of lawless men. Peter also places responsibility on the Gentile officials and soldiers who actually crucified Jesus.

10. 1 John 3:20

for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Read More

whenever our heart condemns us. Whenever one has an inward conviction of sin. It is vital in such times to have a living faith; the proposition that God is greater than our heart grants us assurance that he has forgiven us through the atoning work of Christ.