Curiously Wrought

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:15,16).

This marvelous picture of an embryonic child growing in its mother’s womb not only is scientifically accurate, but also shows clearly that God is concerned with the developing infant from the very moment of conception.

Verse 13 introduces this pen-picture, saying: “Thou hast covered me [literally ‘shielded me’-a striking reference to the protection of the embryo as it grows] in my mother’s womb.” Verse 14 says the child is “wonderfully [that is, ‘differently’] made.” Each baby is designed to be like all human beings in over-all aspect, but uniquely different in detail.

Then, our text says that God was secretly making “my substance”-that is, the skeletal frame-and also “embroidering it [the meaning of ‘curiously wrought’) in the lowest parts of the earth.” This seems to be a remarkable anticipation of the double-helical DNA molecular program which organizes the beautiful structure of the whole child. God first made the “lowest parts,” or elements, of Earth matter, then formed Adam’s body from this “dust of the ground [earth]” (Genesis 2:7).

The “substance, yet being unperfect” is one word in the Hebrew, meaning “embryo.” All of its members were written in God’s book before they existed-probably from the foundation of the world. Then He “fashioned” it (same word as when He “formed” Adam’s body), and watched over it continually thenceforth. What a tremendous revelation this is, of God’s providential care of each new human being who comes into the world! HMM