139
1 “For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” O LORD! thou hast searched me and known me! 2 Thou knowest my sitting-down and my rising-up; Thou understandest my thoughts from afar! 3 Thou seest my path and my lying-down, And art acquainted with all my ways! 4 For before the word is upon my tongue, Behold, O LORD! thou knowest it altogether! 5 Thou besettest me behind and before, And layest thine hand upon me! 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain to it! 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit, And whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in the underworld, behold, thou art there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the remotest parts of the sea, 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me! 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me;” Even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to thee! 13 For thou didst form my reins; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are thy works, And this my soul knoweth full well! 15 My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret. When I was curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, while yet unformed, And in thy book was every thing written; My days were appointed before one of them existed. 17 How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee! 19 O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God! Ye men of blood, depart from me! 20 For they speak against thee wickedly; Thine enemies utter thy name for falsehood. 21 Do I not hate them that hate thee, O LORD? Do I not abhor them that rise up against thee? 22 Yea, I hate them with perfect 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 the way of trouble be within me, And lead me in the way everlasting!