Psalms 139

139

To the director.[641] A praise song of David.[642]

<1> Lord, you have tested me

so you know all about me.

<2> You know when I sit down

and when I get up.

You know my thoughts from far away.

<3> You know where I go

and where I lie down.

You know everything I do.

<4> Lord, you know what I want to say,

even before the words leave my mouth.

<5> You are all around me-

in front and behind me.

I feel your hand on my shoulder.

<6> I am amazed at what you know;

it is too much for me to understand.

<7> Your Spirit is everywhere I go.

I cannot escape your presence.

<8> If I go up to heaven, there you are.

If I go down to the place of death, there you are.

<9> If I go east where the sun rises

or go to live in the west beyond the sea,

<10> even there you will take my hand and lead me.

your strong right hand will protect me.

<11> Suppose I wanted to hide from you and said,

"Surely the darkness will hide me.

The day will change to night and cover me."

<12> Even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is as bright as day.

Darkness and light are the same to you.

<13> You made every part of me.[643]

You put me together in my mother's womb.

<14> I praise you

because you made me in such a wonderful way.

I know how amazing that was!

<15> You could see my bones grow

while my body took shape, hidden in my mother's womb.[644]

<16> You could see my body grow

each passing day.[645]

You listed all my parts,

and not one of them was missing.

<17> Your thoughts are priceless[646] to me.

They cannot be counted!

<18> If I could count them,

they would be more than all the grains of sand.

But when I finished,

I would have just begun.[647]

<19> You murderers, get away from me!

God, kill those wicked people-

<20> those who say bad things about you.

Your enemies use your name falsely.[648]

<21> Lord, I hate those who hate you.

I hate those who are against you.

<22> I hate them completely!

Your enemies are also my enemies.

<23> God, examine me and know my mind.

Test me and know my anxious thoughts.

<24> Make sure that I am not going the wrong way.[649]

Lead me on the path that has always been right