< Psalms 139 >
1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou measurest my going about and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast hemmed me in behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there. (Sheol )
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there would Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand would hold me.
11 And if I say: 'Surely the darkness shall envelop me, and the light about me shall be night';
12 Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee, but the night shineth as the day; the darkness is even as the light.
13 For Thou hast made my reins; Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance, and in Thy book they were all written — even the days that were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How weighty also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand; were I to come to the end of them, I would still be with Thee.
19 If Thou but wouldest slay the wicked, O God — depart from me therefore, ye men of blood;
20 Who utter Thy name with wicked thought, they take it for falsehood, even Thine enemies —
21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee? And do not I strive with those that rise up against Thee?
22 I hate them with utmost hatred; I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts;
24 And see if there be any way in me that is grievous, and lead me in the way everlasting.
