Mazmur 139:2-6

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; ¹ 

you are aware of everything I do. ² 

139:4 Certainly ³  my tongue does not frame a word

without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it. ⁴ 

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. ⁵ 

[139:3]  ¹ tn Heb “my traveling and my lying down you measure.” The verb זָרָה (zarah, “to measure”) is probably here a denominative from זָרָת (zarat, “a span; a measure”), though some derive it from זָרָה (zarat, “to winnow; to sift”; see BDB 279-80 s.v. זָרָה).

[139:3]  ² tn Heb “all my ways.”

[139:4]  ³ tn Or “for.”

[139:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “look, O Lord, you know all of it.”

[139:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “too amazing [is this] knowledge for me, it is elevated, I cannot attain to it.”