1O LORD , thou hast searched me, and known me . 2Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising , thou understandest my thought afar off . 3Thou compassest 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 LORD , thou knowest it altogether. 5Thou hast beset me behind and before , and laid thine 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 hell , 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 cover me; even the night shall be light about me . 12Yea, 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 hast possessed my reins : thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb . 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made : marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul knoweth right well . 15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret , and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth . 16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect ; and in thy book all my members were written , which in continuance were fashioned , 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 bloody men . 20For they speak against thee wickedly , and thine enemies take thy name in vain . 21Do not I hate them, O LORD , that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22I hate them with perfect hatred : I count them 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 .