Psalm 13913

For the music director, a psalm of David.

139:1 O Lord, you examine me1 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;2

you are aware of everything I do.3

139:4 Certainly4 my tongue does not frame a word

without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.5

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.6

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

Where can I flee to escape your presence?7

139:8 If I were to ascend8 to heaven, you would be there.

If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.9

139:9 If I were to fly away10 on the wings of the dawn,11

and settle down on the other side12 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,13

and the light will turn to night all around me,”14

139:12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see,15

and the night is as bright as16 day;

darkness and light are the same to you.17

139:13 Certainly18 you made my mind and heart;19

you wove me together20 in my mother’s womb.

139:14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.21

You knew me thoroughly;22

139:15 my bones were not hidden from you,

when23 I was made in secret

and sewed together in the depths of the earth.24

139:16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb.25

All the days ordained for me

were recorded in your scroll

before one of them came into existence.26

139:17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God!27

How vast is their sum total!28

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.29

139:19 If only30 you would kill the wicked, O God!

Get away from me, you violent men!31

139:20 They32 rebel against you33 and act deceitfully;34

your enemies lie.35

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

and despise those who oppose you?36

139:22 I absolutely hate them,37

they have become my enemies!

139:23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts!38

Test me, and know my concerns!39

139:24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency40 in me,

and lead me in the reliable ancient path!41