Psalm 139

The All-Knowing, Ever-Present God

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(A) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(B) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(C) the spirit^(D) now working in the disobedient.^{[a] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(E) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(F) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(G) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(H) because of his great love^(I) that he had for us,^{[b] 5} made us alive^(J) with Christ even though we were dead^(K) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,^{(L) 7} so that in the coming ages^(M) he might display the immeasurable riches^(N) of his grace through his kindness^(O) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(P) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created^(Q) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(R) for us to do.

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(S) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(T) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(U) without hope^(V) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(W) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(X) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create^(Y) in himself one^(Z) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(AA) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[c] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(AB) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(AC) 18} For through him we both have access^(AD) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(AE) 19} So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(AF) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(AG) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(AH) 22} In him you are also being built together^(AI) for God’s dwelling^(AJ) in the Spirit.

The Living Stone and a Holy People

2 Therefore, rid yourselves of^(A) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.^{(B) 2} Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word,^[a](C) so that by it you may grow up into your salvation, ³ if you have tasted^(D) that the Lord is good.^{[b](E) 4} As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by^[c] God— ⁵ you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood^[d] to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God^(F) through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

⁷ So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,

⁸ and

They stumble because they disobey the word; they were destined^(L) for this.

⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[i][j](M) a royal priesthood,^[k](N) a holy nation,^[l](O) a people for his possession,^[m](P) so that you may proclaim the praises^[n][o](Q) of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.^{(R) 10} Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy,^(S) but now you have received mercy.

A Call to Good Works

¹¹ Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles^(T) to abstain^(U) from sinful^(V) desires that wage war against the soul.^{(W) 12} Conduct^(X) yourselves honorably among the Gentiles,^[p] so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.^(Y)

¹³ Submit^(Z) to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor^[q] as the supreme authority^{(AA) 14} or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will^(AB) that you silence the ignorance^(AC) of foolish people by doing good. ¹⁶ Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil,^(AD) but as God’s slaves.^{(AE) 17} Honor everyone. Love^(AF) the brothers and sisters.^(AG) Fear God.^(AH) Honor the emperor.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(AI) with all reverence^(AJ) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^{(AK) 19} For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if when you do wrong and are beaten, you endure it? But when you do what is good and suffer,^(AL) if you endure it, this brings favor with God.

²¹ For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered^(AM) for you, leaving you an example,^(AN) that you should follow^(AO) in his steps. ²² He did not commit sin,^(AP) and no deceit^(AQ) was found in his mouth;^{[r](AR) 23} when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges^(AS) justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins^(AT) in his body^(AU) on the tree;^(AV) so that, having died to sins,^(AW) we might live for righteousness.^(AX) By his wounds^[s](AY) you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray,^[t](AZ) but you have now returned to the Shepherd^(BA) and Overseer^[u] of your souls.