Psalms 139
Psalm 1391
For the music director, a psalm of David.
139:1 O Lord, you examine me2 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;3
you are aware of everything I do.4
139:4 Certainly5 my tongue does not frame a word
without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.6
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.7
139:7 Where can I go to escape your spirit?
Where can I flee to escape your presence?8
139:8 If I were to ascend9 to heaven, you would be there.
If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.10
139:9 If I were to fly away11 on the wings of the dawn,12
and settle down on the other side13 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,14
and the light will turn to night all around me,”15
139:12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see,16
and the night is as bright as17 day;
darkness and light are the same to you.18
139:13 Certainly19 you made my mind and heart;20
you wove me together21 in my mother’s womb.
139:14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.22
You knew me thoroughly;23
139:15 my bones were not hidden from you,
when24 I was made in secret
and sewed together in the depths of the earth.25
139:16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.26
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence.27
139:17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God!28
How vast is their sum total!29
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.30
139:19 If only31 you would kill the wicked, O God!
Get away from me, you violent men!32
139:20 They33 rebel against you34 and act deceitfully;35
your enemies lie.36
139:21 O Lord, do I not hate those who hate you,
and despise those who oppose you?37
139:22 I absolutely hate them,38
they have become my enemies!
139:23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts!39
Test me, and know my concerns!40
139:24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency41 in me,
and lead me in the reliable ancient path!42