To the chief Musician, A Psalm of Dawid.

1 O יהוה, You have searched me, and known me.

2 You knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, You understandest my thought afar off.

3 You compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, behold, O יהוה, You knowest it altogether.

5 You have beset me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.

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

7 Whither shall I go from Your spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Your presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in sheol, behold, You are there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your 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 you; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You have possessed my reins; You have covered me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Your eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Your book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts unto me, O God (El)! 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 You.

19 Surely You wilt slay the wicked, O God (Eloah); depart from me there-fore, you bloody men.

20 For they speak against You wickedly, and Your enemies take Your name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O יהוה, that hate You? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against You?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God (El), and know my heart; try me, and know my anxious thoughts;

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.