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Psalm 139[a]

The All-knowing and Ever-present God

For the leader. A psalm of David.

I

Lord, you have probed me, you know me:
    you know when I sit and stand;[b](A)
    you understand my thoughts from afar.
You sift through my travels and my rest;
    with all my ways you are familiar.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 139 A hymnic meditation on God’s omnipresence and omniscience. The psalmist is keenly aware of God’s all-knowing gaze (Ps 139:1–6), of God’s presence in every part of the universe (Ps 139:7–12), and of God’s control over the psalmist’s very self (Ps 139:13–16). Summing up Ps 139:1–16, 17–18 express wonder. There is only one place hostile to God’s rule—wicked people. The psalmist prays to be removed from their company (Ps 139:19–24).
  2. 139:2 When I sit and stand: in all my physical movement.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
    Lord, you know it all.
Behind and before you encircle me
    and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    far too lofty for me to reach.(A)

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Where can I go from your spirit?
    From your presence, where can I flee?
If I ascend to the heavens, you are there;
    if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.(A)

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If I take the wings of dawn[a]
    and dwell beyond the sea,
10 Even there your hand guides me,
    your right hand holds me fast.

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Footnotes

  1. 139:9 Take the wings of dawn: go to the extremities of the east. Beyond the sea: uttermost bounds of the west; the sea is the Mediterranean.