Psalms 139:1-24

Psalm 139

For the music director, a psalm of David.

139:1 O Lord, you examine me and know.

139:2 You know when I sit down and when I get up;

even from far away you understand my motives.

139:3 You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest;

you are aware of everything I do.

139:4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word

without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.

139:5 You squeeze me in from behind and in front;

you place your hand on me.

139:6 Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension;

it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

139:7 Where can I go to escape your spirit?

Where can I flee to escape your presence?

139:8 If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there.

If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.

139:9 If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn,

and settle down on the other side of the sea,

139:10 even there your hand would guide me,

your right hand would grab hold of me.

139:11 If I were to say, “Certainly the darkness will cover me,

and the light will turn to night all around me,”

139:12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see,

and the night is as bright as day;

darkness and light are the same to you.

139:13 Certainly you made my mind and heart;

you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

139:14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.

You knew me thoroughly;

139:15 my bones were not hidden from you,

when I was made in secret

and sewed together in the depths of the earth.

139:16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.

All the days ordained for me

were recorded in your scroll

before one of them came into existence.

139:17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God!

How vast is their sum total!

139:18 If I tried to count them,

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Even if I finished counting them,

I would still have to contend with you.

139:19 If only you would kill the wicked, O God!

Get away from me, you violent men!

139:20 They rebel against you and act deceitfully;

your enemies lie.

139:21 O Lord, do I not hate those who hate you,

and despise those who oppose you?

139:22 I absolutely hate them,

they have become my enemies!

139:23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts!

Test me, and know my concerns!

139:24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency in me,

and lead me in the reliable ancient path!