1O Jehovah , thou hast searched me , and known me . 2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising ; Thou understandest my thought afar off . 3Thou searchest out my path and my lying down , And art acquainted with all my ways . 4For there is not a word in my tongue , But , lo , O Jehovah , thou knowest it altogether . 5Thou hast beset me behind and before , And laid thy hand upon me . 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me ; It is high , I cannot attain unto it .
God's Omnipresence
7Whither shall I go from thy Spirit ? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence ? 8If I ascend up into heaven , thou art there : If I make my bed in Sheol , behold , thou art there . 9If I take the wings of the morning , And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea ; 10Even there shall thy hand lead me , And thy right hand shall hold me . 11If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me , And the light about me shall be night ; 12Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day : The darkness and the light are both alike to thee .
God's Sovereign Creation
13For thou didst form my inward parts : Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb. 14I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made : Wonderful are thy works ; And that my soul knoweth right well . 15My frame was not hidden from thee , When I was made in secret , And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance ; And in thy book they were all written , Even the days that were ordained for me , When as yet there was none of them .
God's Thoughts and Our Response
17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me , O God! How great is the sum of them ! 18If I should count them , they are more in number than the sand : When I awake , I am still with thee .
A Prayer for Purity
19Surely thou wilt slay the wicked , O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men . 20For they speak against thee wickedly , And thine enemies take thy name in vain . 21Do not I hate them , O Jehovah , that hate thee ? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee ? 22I hate them with perfect hatred : They are become mine enemies . 23Search me , O God, and know my heart : Try me , and know my thoughts ; 24And see if there be any wicked way in me , And lead me in the way everlasting .