Study Desk

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Lord , You have searched me and known me.^(a)

You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away.^(b)

You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways.^(c)

Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord .^(d)

You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me.^(e)

This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.^(f)

Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?^(g)

If I go up to heaven, You are there;^(h) if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.⁽ⁱ⁾

If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits,^[a]

even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me.^(j)

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night"^(k)—

even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.^(l)

For it was You who created my inward parts;^[b] You knit me together in my mother's womb.^(m)

I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.^[c][d] Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.⁽ⁿ⁾

My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.^(o)

Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began.^(p)

God, how difficult^[e] Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is!

If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand;^(q) when I wake up,^[f] I am still with You.^(r)

God, if only You would kill the wicked— you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me^(s)—

who invoke You deceitfully. Your enemies swear by You falsely.^(t)

Lord , don't I hate those who hate You, and detest those who rebel against You?

I hate them with extreme hatred; I consider them my enemies.^(u)

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.^(v)

See if there is any offensive^[g] way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.^(w)