Psalms 139

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain to it.

[Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Where shall I go from thy spirit? or where shall I flee from thy presence?

Whither shall I from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (Sheol h7585)

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. (Sheol h7585)

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

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.

If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, and the light about me shall be night;

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.

Even 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 hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul well knoweth

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 substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and skilfully formed in the lowest parts of the earth.

My frame was not hidden from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thy eyes saw my substance, not yet formed; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Thine eyes did see mine unperfect substance, and in thy book were all [my members] written, which day by day were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thy enemies take thy name in vain.

For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take [thy name] in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them my enemies.

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:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

And see if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.