The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Psalms 139
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 Yahweh, you have searched me,
and you know me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising
up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying
down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in behind and before.
You laid your hand on me.
6 This knowledge is beyond me.
It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.
7 Where could I go from your Spirit?
Or where could I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, you are there.
IfI make my bed in Sheol,† behold, you
are there!
9 If I take the wings of the dawn,
and settle in the uttermost parts of the
sea,
10 even there your hand will lead me,
and your right hand will hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me.
The light around me will be night,”
12 even the darkness doesn’t hide fromyou,
but the night shines as the day.
The darkness is like light to you.
13 For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s
womb.
14 I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully
made. Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.
15 My frame wasn’t hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the
earth.
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.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,
God! How vast is their sum!
18 If I would count them, they are more in
number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would kill the wicked.
Get away from me, you bloodthirsty
men!
20 For they speak against you wickedly.
Your enemies take your name in vain.
21 Yahweh, don’tIhate those whohate you?
Am I not grieved with those who rise
up against you?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred.
They have become my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.