Psa 139 | JPS | STEP | For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O HaShem, Thou hast searched me, and known me.

‏ Psalms 139

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. O HaShem, Thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou measurest my going about and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O HaShem, Thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast hemmed me in behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too 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 the nether-world, 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 would Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand would hold me. 11 And if I say: 'Surely the darkness shall envelop me, and the light about me shall be night'; 12 Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee, but the night shineth as the day; the darkness is even as the light. 13 For Thou hast made my reins; Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance, and in Thy book they were all written--even the days that were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How weighty also are Thy thoughts unto me, O G-d! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand; were I to come to the end of them, I would still be with Thee. 19 If Thou but wouldest slay the wicked, O G-d--depart from me therefore, ye men of blood; 20 Who utter Thy name with wicked thought, they take it for falsehood, even Thine enemies-- 21 Do not I hate them, O HaShem, that hate Thee? And do not I strive with those that rise up against Thee? 22 I hate them with utmost hatred; I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O G-d, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts; 24 And see if there be any way in me that is grievous, and lead me in the way everlasting.