Psalm 139

  1. LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
    you know my sitting down and my rising up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
  2. You trace my journeys and my resting-places *
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
  3. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *
    but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
  4. You press upon me behind and before *
    and lay your hand upon me.
  5. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *
    it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
  6. Where can I go then from your Spirit? *
    where can I flee from your presence?
  7. If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
    if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
  8. If I take the wings of the morning *
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
  9. Even there your hand will lead me *
    and your right hand hold me fast.
  10. If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, *
    and the light around me turn to night,"
  11. Darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is as bright as the day; *
    darkness and light to you are both alike.
  12. For you yourself created my inmost parts; *
    you knit me together in my mother's womb.
  13. I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *
    your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
  14. My body was not hidden from you, *
    while I was being made in secret
    and woven in the depths of the earth.
  15. Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;
    all of them were written in your book; *
    they were fashioned day by day,
    when as yet there was none of them.
  16. How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *
    how great is the sum of them!
  17. If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *
    to count them all, my life span would need to
    be like yours.
  18. Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
    You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
  19. They speak despitefully against you; *
    your enemies take your Name in vain.
  20. Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you? *
    and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
  21. I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
    they have become my own enemies.
  22. Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *
    try me and know my restless thoughts.
  23. Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *
    and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

  24. (The Psalter)

B a c k M a i n