[1] O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. [2] You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away. [3] You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways. [4] Even before there is a single word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD. [5] You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me. [6] Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it. [7] Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run to get away from you? [8] If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there. [9] If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun or land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, [10] even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me. [11] If I say, "Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night," [12] even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. [13] You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. [14] I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. [15] My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop. [16] Your eyes saw me when I was only a fetus. Every day of my life was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place. [17] How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are! [18] If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you. [19] I wish that you would kill wicked people, O God, and that bloodthirsty people would leave me alone. [20] They say wicked things about you. Your enemies misuse your name. [21] Shouldn't I hate those who hate you, O LORD? Shouldn't I be disgusted with those who attack you? [22] I hate them with all my heart. They have become my enemies. [23] Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. [24] See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.
