For the music director, a psalm of David.
139:1 O Lord, you examine me 16 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; 17
you are aware of everything I do. 18
139:4 Certainly 19 my tongue does not frame a word
without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it. 20
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. 21
139:7 Where can I go to escape your spirit?
Where can I flee to escape your presence? 22
139:8 If I were to ascend 23 to heaven, you would be there.
If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. 24
139:9 If I were to fly away 25 on the wings of the dawn, 26
and settle down on the other side 27 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, 28
and the light will turn to night all around me,” 29
139:12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, 30
and the night is as bright as 31 day;
darkness and light are the same to you. 32
139:13 Certainly 33 you made my mind and heart; 34
you wove me together 35 in my mother’s womb.
139:14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. 36
You knew me thoroughly; 37
139:15 my bones were not hidden from you,
when 38 I was made in secret
and sewed together in the depths of the earth. 39
139:16 Your eyes saw me when I was inside the womb. 40
All the days ordained for me
were recorded in your scroll
before one of them came into existence. 41
139:17 How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! 42
How vast is their sum total! 43
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. 44
139:19 If only 45 you would kill the wicked, O God!
Get away from me, you violent men! 46
139:20 They 47 rebel against you 48 and act deceitfully; 49
your enemies lie. 50
139:21 O Lord, do I not hate those who hate you,
and despise those who oppose you? 51
139:22 I absolutely hate them, 52
they have become my enemies!
139:23 Examine me, and probe my thoughts! 53
Test me, and know my concerns! 54
139:24 See if there is any idolatrous tendency 55 in me,
and lead me in the reliable ancient path! 56