To the chief Musician , A Psalm of David .
1 O LORD , thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising , thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou 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, lo, O LORD , thou knowest it altogether .
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before , and laid thine 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 thy spirit ? or whither shall I flee from thy presence ?
8 If I ascend up into heaven , thou art there : if I make my bed in hell , behold , thou art there .
9 If I take the wings of the morning , and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy 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 thee ; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee .
13 For thou hast possessed my reins : thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb .
14 I will praise thee ; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made : marvellous are thy works ; and that my soul knoweth right well .
15 My substance was not hid from thee , when I was made in secret , and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth .
16 Thine eyes did see my substance , yet being unperfect ; and in thy book all my members were written , which in continuance were fashioned , when as yet there was none of them .
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! 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 thee .
19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked , O God: depart from me therefore , ye bloody men.
20 For they speak against thee wickedly , and thine enemies take thy name in vain .
21 Do not I hate them , O LORD , that hate thee ? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee ?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred : I count them mine enemies .
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts :
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting .