New English Translation

Psalms 139:1-12

1 1O Lord, you examine me and know.

2You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives.

3You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do.

4Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it.

5You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me.

6Your knowledge is beyond my comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

7Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee to escape your presence?

8If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.

9If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea,

10even there your hand would guide me, your right hand would grab hold of me.

11If I were to say, “Certainly the darkness will cover me, and the light will turn to night all around me,”

12even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, and the night is as bright as day; darkness and light are the same to you.

Notes

1. Psalms 139:1 Psalm 139. The psalmist acknowledges that God, who created him, is aware of his every action and thought. He invites God to examine his motives, for he is confident they are pure. ↩