1 Psalm 139 The All-Knowing, Ever-Present God For the choir director. A psalm of David. Lord , you have searched me and known me.2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away.3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways.4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord .5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me.6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.9 If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, Lit I take up the wings of the dawn; I dwell at the end of the sea 10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” —12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.13 For it was you who created my inward parts; Lit my kidneys you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. DSS, some LXX mss, Syr, Jer read because you are remarkable and wonderful Hb obscure Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.17 God, how precious Or difficult your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is!18 If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, Some Hb mss read I come to an end I am still with you.19 God, if only you would kill the wicked — you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me —20 who invoke you deceitfully. Your enemies swear by you falsely.21 Lord , don’t I hate those who hate you, and detest those who rebel against you?22 I hate them with extreme hatred; I consider them my enemies.23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.24 See if there is any offensive Or idolatrous way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.