Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

5You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

7Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

8If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

9If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

10even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

11If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night”,

12even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

13For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.139:14 Or for I am fearfully set apart

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

15My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there were none of them.

17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

I awake, and I am still with you.

19Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

20They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain.139:20 Hebrew lacks your name

21Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

22I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!139:23 Or cares

24And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!139:24 Or in the ancient way (compare Jeremiah 6:1 6)