Psalm 139

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away.

3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.

4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.

5 You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

7 I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead,[2][Hebrew to Sheol. ] you are there.

9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—

12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are both alike to you.