God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

139 O Lord, (A)You have searched me and known me.
(B)You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You (C)understand my thought afar off.
(D)You [a]comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, (E)You know it altogether.
You have [b]hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
(F)Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

(G)Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
(H)If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
(I)If I make my bed in [c]hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 139:3 Lit. winnow
  2. Psalm 139:5 enclosed
  3. Psalm 139:8 Or Sheol

Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

You have searched me,(A) Lord,
    and you know(B) me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;(C)
    you perceive my thoughts(D) from afar.
You discern my going out(E) and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.(F)
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.(G)
You hem me in(H) behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,(I)
    too lofty(J) for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee(K) from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens,(L) you are there;
    if I make my bed(M) in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,(N)
    your right hand(O) will hold me fast.

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