“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14

The Bible describes David as a man with many talents. He was a musician, a leader, a courageous warrior, but never a doctor or a man of science. God considered him to be a man after His own heart. And yet the Lord revealed to David a key characteristic of human embryology, a facet of human development in the womb that was neither known nor considered in his time. 

Embryology is the study of the prenatal development of fertilization and the development of embryos and fetuses. During the period of history in which King David was in power (1011 – 971 BC), the majority of humanity accepted a theory called preformation, the idea that semen contained a “mini-infant” that grew larger once implanted in a woman. Almost 700 years later, Aristotle proposed a competing theory of epigenesis—the idea that the human form gradually develops from a formless egg. 

Through the improved use of microscopy in the 19th century, scientists were able to determine that embryos develop in stages, and Aristotle’s originally proposed theory of epigenesis began to gain traction.

It wasn’t until the 1950s, with the scientific breakthrough of using ultrasound technology in clinical studies of obstetrics and gynecology by Ian Donald and his team from Glasgow, that the scientific community gained a firsthand view of embryonic development inside the mother’s womb. This period of history coincided with the groundbreaking research of American biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick on the existence of the three-dimensional double helix. 

Together, these two eye-opening discoveries provided humanity with an in-depth understanding of the DNA structure and the process of protein synthesis, which is crucial for human development. This process bears a striking resemblance to knitting (Psalm 139:13-14) or weaving, an insight the Lord had given David almost three thousand years prior.

David glorified the Lord’s work in the womb and recognized it as the beginning of their relationship, the connection between man and his designer. His soul acknowledged the intimacy of being known and handcrafted by the Creator of all things, knit together by Him through DNA into existence. Our current understanding of the science of embryology further supports the mysteries that only our loving heavenly Father could have revealed - the mystery and miracle that is conception and embryology.

This divine process of knitting life in the womb, as David so poetically described, underscores the sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception. The intricate dance of DNA, orchestrated by our Creator, reveals that each embryo is a unique masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made. To interrupt this holy work through abortion is to disrupt the very handiwork of God, who knows and forms each soul with purpose and love. As modern science unveils the marvels of embryology, it affirms the biblical truth that life begins at conception, calling us to honor and protect the miracle of creation woven by our Heavenly Father.

Click here to hear Jeanne share how Jesus transformed her life—from opening one of Miami’s first abortion clinics to founding a pro-life pregnancy center in the same building—as she now works to protect unborn lives throughout Latin America.