For the music director, a psalm of David.
139:1 O Lord, you examine me 2 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; 3
you are aware of everything I do. 4
139:4 Certainly 5 my tongue does not frame a word
without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it. 6
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. 7
139:7 Where can I go to escape your spirit?
Where can I flee to escape your presence? 8
139:8 If I were to ascend 9 to heaven, you would be there.
If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. 10
139:9 If I were to fly away 11 on the wings of the dawn, 12
and settle down on the other side 13 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, 14
and the light will turn to night all around me,” 15
139:12 even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, 16
and the night is as bright as 17 day;
darkness and light are the same to you. 18
139:13 Certainly 19 you made my mind and heart; 20
you wove me together 21 in my mother’s womb.
139:14 I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. 22
You knew me thoroughly; 23
139:15 my bones were not hidden from you,
when 24 I was made in secret
and sewed together in the depths of the earth. 25