The Attributes of God
Psalm 139:1-12
An Attribute is that which essentially belongs to a person or thing. The qualities or
perfections of His nature, which are its necessary characteristic and expression”.
Attributes are the descriptions of the particular ways in which the divine essence
exists and operates.
These are divided as:
Non-Moral Attributes: Natural attributes
These belong to His mode of existence. These also have a direct bearing on the human
conduct.
Omnipresence: means He is present everywhere in all His completion and
perfections. (Gives both Comfort & Warning) Ps 139:7-12; Jer 23:23-24; Acts
17:27-28; Rom 10:6-8.
Omniscience: is the scope of His Knowledge-:
Person in the Godhead knows each other -Matt 11:27; 1Cor 2:11.
He Knows His Creation- Psa 147:4; 33:13-15;Matt 10:29; 6:8,32.
He Knows the Future, as ever-present -now.
Isa 46:9-10; Acts 15:18; Dt 31:20-21 Pr 15:3,11; Psa 147:5-8;149:1-6; Rom
11:33
Omnipotence: It is His power to do every thing consistent with His will &
character.He does whatever He wills yet in harmony with His perfection and
nature. Hab 1:13; 2Tim2:13; Heb 6:18; Jms 1:13. Gen 17:1; Job 42:2; Jer 32:17;
Matt 19:26, Lk 1:37; Psa 139:13-18; Rev 19:6.
Yet He choose to be silent at Gabbatha and Golgotha.
Immutability- In essence, attributes, consciences and will, God is
unchangeable. He is absolutely perfect. Jms 1:17; Mal 3:6; Rom 4:20-21, 11:29;
Isa 46:10, 28:17; 1Kg 8:56; 2Cor 1:20 Psa 103:17; Gen 18:25
Moral Attributes: Communicable attributes. These are those necessary moral qualities
of divine essence.
1. Holiness- He is absolutely separate from and exalted above all His creatures
and that He is equally separate from moral evil and sin. This is the regulative
principle for His love, power and will.
Ex 15:11; Lev 11:44,45; Josh 24:19; Jn 17:17; Heb 12:10; 1Jn 1:5; Isa 6:3.
2. Righteousness & Justice These are that phase of the holiness of God which
is seen in His treatment of the creature. Being righteous He has instituted a
moral government in the world, impost just laws upon the creatures and
attached sanctions thereto for the Bestowal of Rewards & Punishments.
II Chr 12:6; Ez 9:15; Neh 4:8; Psa 89:14; Isa 45:21; Dn 9:14; Jn 17:25; 2Tim 4:8;
Rev 16:5
3. Goodness-
A. In the broad sense- it includes all the qualities that answer to our
conception of an ideal personage.
B. In the narrow sense- it includes, the love of God, by which He is
eternally moved to communicate Himself. 2Cor 13:11; 1Jn 4:8,16;
Matt 3:16; Jn 3:16, 14:23; Psa 11:7; Isa 61:8
The Goodness of God is manifested in:
1. Benevolence of God: it is the affection which He feels and manifests
towards His saints. Job 14:5; Matt 5:45; Ps 145:9,15,16.
2. Mercy of God: It is His goodness manifested towards those who are in
misery and distress.
Eph 2:4; Jam 5:11; Ps 102:13; Rom 11:30-31; Ex 20:2; Lk 1:50; Isa 55:7.
3. Grace of God: It is goodness of God manifested toward the ill-deserving.
Unmerited favour.
In Forbearance & Long suffering- Ex 34:6 Rom 2:4-5, 3:25, 9:22;
1Pet 3:20; 2 Pet3:9.
In Salvation- 1Jn 2:2; Hos 8:12; Jn 16:8-11.
In Sanctification- Rom 5:21; Tit 2:11-12.
In Preservation- 2Cor 12:9.
In Service- Heb 12:28.
In Final Preservation- 1Pet 1:13.
4. Truth: means God’s knowledge, declarations and representations
eternally conform to reality.
Jn 17:3; 1Jn 5:20; Jer 101:10.
Consequences in Psalmist's Life (Ps 139)
1. The Worth of His Worship v.14-16
2. The Worth of His Will v.17-18
3. The Worth of His own Wayward life v.19-22
4. The Worth of His Watching over. v.23-24
