Psalm 139
Psalm 139
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, LORD.5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,t you are there.9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.17 How precious are your thoughts about me,t O God.
They cannot be numbered!18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!
Get out of my life, you murderers!20 They blaspheme you;
your enemies misuse your name.21 O LORD, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?
Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,
for your enemies are my enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
PSALMS 139
The [Lord] Is Always Near
1 You have looked deep
into my heart, [Lord],
and you know all about me.
2 You know when I am resting
or when I am working,
and from heaven
you discover my thoughts.
3 You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
4 Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
5 and with your powerful arm
you protect me
from every side.
6 I can't understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge
is far above me.
7 Where could I go to escape
from your Spirit
or from your sight?
8 If I were to climb up
to the highest heavens,
you would be there.
If I were to dig down
to the world of the dead
you would also be there.
9 Suppose I had wings
like the dawning day
and flew across the ocean.
10 Even then your powerful arm
would guide and protect me.
11 Or suppose I said, “I'll hide
in the dark until night comes
to cover me over.”
12 But you see in the dark
because daylight and dark
are all the same to you.
13 You are the one
who put me together
inside my mother's body,
14 and I praise you because of
the wonderful way
you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.
15 Nothing about me
is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together
out of human sight,
16 but with your own eyes you saw
my body being formed.
Even before I was born,
you had written in your book
everything about me.
17 t Your thoughts are far beyond
my understanding,
much more than I
could ever imagine.
18 I try to count your thoughts,
but they outnumber the grains
of sand on the beach.
And when I awake,
I will find you nearby.
19 How I wish that you would kill
all cruel and heartless people
and protect me from them!
20 They are always rebelling
and speaking evil of you.t
21 You know I hate anyone
who hates you, [Lord],
and refuses to obey.
22 They are my enemies too,
and I truly hate them.
23 Look deep into my heart, God,
and find out everything
I am thinking.
24 Don't let me follow evil ways,
but lead me in the way
that time has proven true.
