Reformation Directory

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1.O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2.Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3.Thou compassest^139-1 my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4.For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

5.Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is 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 hell, 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 shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11.If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12.Yea, the darkness hideth^139-2 not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and^139-3 the light are both alike to thee.

13.For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

14.I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right^139-4 well.

15.My substance^139-5 was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16.Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all^139-6 my members were written, which^139-7 in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17.How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18.If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19.Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20.For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21.Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22.I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23.Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24.And see if there be any wicked^139-8 way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139

Notes