Psalms 139

1 O [Eternal, Divine] LORD [Yehovah], You have [thoroughly, carefully] searched [examined, investigated] me and [intimately, thoroughly] known [understood, perceived] me. word study 2 You [the personal God] know [are intimately aware of, perceive] when I sit [am seated, dwell] and when I rise [stand up, get up]; You [the all-knowing God] understand [discern, comprehend] my thoughts [ideas, intentions] from afar [at a distance, far off]. word study 3 You search out [observe, keep watch over] my path [way, journey, road] and my lying down [rest, sleep, reclining]; You are aware of [familiar with, acquainted with] all [everything, every aspect] my ways [actions, manner of life, journey]. word study 4 Even [before all time, from the very first] before a word [speech, utterance] is on my tongue [the instrument of speaking], You [the Lord] know [are intimately aware of, perceive] all about it [everything, completely], O LORD [the supreme Ruler]. word study 5 You hem me in [beset, surround] behind [at my back, in the rear] and before [in front of me, to the east]; You have laid [placed, set] Your hand [palm, gentle guidance] upon me [on my life, with care]. word study 6 Such [incomprehensible, wonderful] knowledge [understanding] is too [extraordinary, beyond human grasp] wonderful [miraculous] for me, too [exceedingly, supremely] lofty [exalted, set on high] for me to [be able, have power] attain [reach, come near]. word study 7 Where [in what location or direction] can I go to escape Your Spirit [the breath of life, Your divine presence]? Where [to what place] can I flee [run away quickly] from Your presence [face, being before You]? word study 8 If I ascend [go up, rise] to the heavens [the visible universe, sky], You [the Lord] are there [present, in that place]; if I make my bed [lay down, rest] in Sheol [the underworld, grave, place of the dead], You are there [near, beside me, present]. word study 9 If I rise [take, lift up] on the wings [edges, extremities] of the dawn [morning, new light], if I settle [dwell, reside] by the farthest [uttermost, most distant] sea [large body of water, the west or seaward direction], word study 10 even there [in that place, thither] Your hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] will guide [lead, direct] me; Your right hand [the hand of strength, Benjamin] will hold [grasp, take hold of] me fast [securely, in possession]. word study 11 If I say [declare, speak my mind], “Surely [certainly, without a doubt] the darkness [physical and spiritual, misery or wickedness] will hide [cover, overwhelm] me, and the light [natural and spiritual, happiness or prosperity] become [be transformed into] night [a time of adversity, hardship] around [about, surrounding] me”— word study 12 even the darkness [is not hidden from You, is as light to You] is not dark to You, but the night [shines with the same brightness] shines like the day, for darkness [and light are alike, are the same] is as light to You. word study 13 For [because of this reason] You [the Creator, Almighty God] formed [created, made] my inmost being [inner self, deepest nature]; You [the Divine Craftsman] knit [wove, covered] me together [united, joined] in my mother’s [parent’s, maternal] womb [belly, innermost part]. word study 14 I praise You [give thanks to, acknowledge your greatness], for I am [strangely and delicately] fearfully [with a sense of awe and reverence] and wonderfully [in a distinctive and marvelous way] made [formed, created]. Marvelous [wonderful, incredible] are Your works [deeds, actions], and I know [am fully conscious, have certain knowledge] this very well [exceedingly, with deep understanding]. word study 15 My frame [substance, body, or bones] was not hidden [concealed or unseen] from You when I was made [formed or created] in secret [a hidden or sheltered place], when I was woven together [curiously wrought or intricately put together] in the depths [lower parts or lowest regions] of the earth [land or ground]. word study 16 Your eyes [the source of Your care and provision] saw my unformed body [embryo, a wrapped up mass]; all my days [the entirety of my life] were written [recorded, inscribed] in Your book [scroll, a written document] and ordained [planned, purposed] for me before one of them [a single day] came to be [existed, was formed]. word study 17 How [extremely, remarkably] precious [valuable, dear] to me are Your thoughts [ideas, intentions, plans], O God [Elohim, the supreme Being], how [what a great] vast [great, immense, countless] is their sum [total, number, amount]! word study 18 If I were to count them [to recount, as a scribe records], they would outnumber [be more in number than] the grains of sand [like the particles of the desert]; and when I awake [am roused, wake up], I am still [continue to be, remain] with You [in Your presence, together]. word study 19 O God [Eloah, the one true deity], that You would slay [kill, put to death] the wicked [morally wrong, guilty of sin]— away from me, you bloodthirsty [men of blood, violent] men [individuals, human beings]— word study 20 who speak [say, utter, declare] of You deceitfully [with evil designs, wickedly]; Your enemies [foes, adversaries] take [lift, misuse] Your name [reputation, character] in vain [to no purpose, with vanity, emptily]. word study 21 Do I not [certainly, absolutely] hate [feel intense dislike, despise] those who hate [are hostile towards] You, O LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of all], and detest [am grieved with, loathe] those who rise [confront, oppose] against You? word study 22 I hate [with absolute hatred, completely] them with perfect [complete, utmost] hatred; I count [regard, consider] them as my [personal, utter] enemies [adversaries, foes]. word study 23 Search [examine closely, investigate] me, O God [Elohim, the all-powerful], and know [be intimately acquainted with, perceive] my heart [the innermost part of my being, including my mind, will, and emotions]; test [prove, try] me and know [discern, understand] my concerns [anxious thoughts, disquieting reflections]. word study 24 See [examine, consider] if there is any [wicked, grievous, sorrowful] offensive way [path, manner of life] in me; lead [guide, direct] me in the way [path, journey] everlasting [forever, always, eternal]. word study