139:1 To the chief
Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my
downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my
path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a
word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me
behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is
too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go
from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up
into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the
wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall
thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely
the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness
hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the
light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast
possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise
thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and
that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was
not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the
lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did
see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were
written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of
them.
17 How precious also
are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count
them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with
thee.
19 Surely thou wilt
slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
20 For they speak
against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
21 Do not I hate
them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up
against thee?
22 I hate them with
perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
23 Search me, O God,
and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And
see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.