Psalm 139 - Modern English Version

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David.

¹ O  Lord, You have searched me and known me.

² You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You perceive my thought from afar.

³ You winnow my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O  Lord, You know it altogether.

⁵ You beset me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?

⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there shall Your hand lead me and Your right hand take hold of me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall befall me, even the night about me shall be my light.”

¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You and the night shines as the day, for darkness and light are alike with You.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows right well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance. And in Your book were they all written, the days created for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

¹⁸ Were I to count them, they would be in number more than the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

¹⁹ Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, O bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ Do I not hate those, O  Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my 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!