1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

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

3 Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. compassest: or, winnowest

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

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

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain to it.

7 Where shall I go from thy spirit? or where shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend 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 not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. hideth…: Heb. darkeneth notthe darkness and…: Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light

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 well knoweth right…: Heb. greatly

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and skilfully formed in the lowest parts of the earth. substance: or, strength, or, body

16 Thy eyes saw my substance, not yet formed; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. all…: Heb. all of themwhich…: or, what days they should be fashioned

17 How precious also are thy thoughts to 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 thy 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 my enemies.

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

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. wicked…: Heb. way of pain, or, grief