For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.

139:1 Yahweh, you have searched me,

and you know me.

139:2 You know my sitting down and my rising up.

You perceive my thoughts from afar.

139:3 You search out my path and my lying down,

and are acquainted with all my ways.

139:4 For there is not a word on my tongue,

but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

139:5 You hem me in behind and before.

You laid your hand on me.

139:6 This knowledge is beyond me.

It's lofty.

I can't attain it.

139:7 Where could I go from your Spirit?

Or where could I flee from your presence?

139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!

139:9 If I take the wings of the dawn,

and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;

139:10 Even there your hand will lead me,

and your right hand will hold me.

139:11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will overwhelm me;

the light around me will be night;"

139:12 even the darkness doesn't hide from you,

but the night shines as the day.

The darkness is like light to you.

139:13 For you formed my inmost being.

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

139:14 I will give thanks to you,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful.

My soul knows that very well.

139:15 My frame wasn't hidden from you,

when I was made in secret,

woven together in the depths of the earth.

139:16 Your eyes saw my body.

In your book they were all written,

the days that were ordained for me,

when as yet there were none of them.

139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!

How vast is the sum of them!

139:18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand.

When I wake up, I am still with you.

139:19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked.

Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

139:20 For they speak against you wickedly.

Your enemies take your name in vain.

139:21 Yahweh, don't I hate those who hate you?

Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

139:22 I hate them with perfect hatred.

They have become my enemies.

139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart.

Try me, and know my thoughts.

139:24 See if there is any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the everlasting way.