Psalms 139:3-22 in English

³ Thou searchest out 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 Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy 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 Sheol, 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 overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night;

¹² Even 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 didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, 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 bloodthirsty men.

²⁰ For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take thy name in vain.

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

²² I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.

³ Who have devised injustice in their hearts; all the day they prepared war.

⁴ They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.

⁵ Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁶ The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; they set a stumbling-block for me near the path. Pause.

⁷ I said to the Lord, Thou art my God; hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

⁸ O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

⁹ Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised mischief against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.

¹⁰ As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

¹¹ Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and thou shalt cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up under them.

¹² A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

¹³ I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.

¹⁴ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.

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.

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.

³ They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.

⁴ Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁵ The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. Pause.

⁶ I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

⁷ O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised mischief against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.

⁹ As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

¹⁰ Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up under them.

¹¹ A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

¹² I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.

¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.

³ Thou searchest out 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 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 Sheol, 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 overwhelm me, and the light about me shall be night;

¹² Even 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 give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: wonderful are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

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

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see mine unperfect substance, and in thy book were all my members written, which day by day 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 bloodthirsty 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.

³ When I travel and when I lie down, you know everything that I do.

⁴ Yahweh, even before I say MTY anything, you know everything that I am going to say!

⁵ You protect me on all sides; you put your hand on me to protect me with your power MTY.

⁶ I am not able to understand that you know everything about me. That is too great for me to really understand.

⁷ ◄Where could I go to escape from your Spirit?/I could not go anywhere to escape from your Spirit.► RHQ ◄Where could I go to get away from you?/I could not go anywhere to get away from you.► RHQ

⁸ If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I lay down in the place where the dead people are, you would be there.

⁹ If I had wings and flew very far east MTY, or if I flew west and made a place to live on an island in the ocean,

¹⁰ you would be there also, to lead me by your hand, and you would help me.

¹¹ I could request the darkness to hide me, or I could request the light around me to become darkness,

¹² but even if that happened, the darkness would not be darkness for you! For you, the night is as bright as the daytime is, because for you, daylight and darkness are ◄not different/the same►.

¹³ You created all the parts of my body; you put the parts of my body together when I was still in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because you made my body in a very awesome and wonderful way. Everything that you do is amazing! I know that very well.

¹⁵ When my body was being formed, while it was being put together where no one else could see it, you saw it!

¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. You wrote in your book the number of days that you had decided that I would live. You did that before any of those days had even started!

¹⁷ God, what you think about me is very precious (OR, is very hard to understand). There is a great number of things that you think about.

¹⁸ If I could count them, I would see that they are more than the grains of sand at the seashore. And when I wake up, I am still with you and I know that there are still more of your thoughts about me to count.

¹⁹ God, I desire that you would kill all the wicked people! And I wish that violent MTY men would ◄leave/go away from► me.

²⁰ They say wicked/malicious things about you; they slander your name.

²¹ Yahweh, I certainly RHQ hate those who hate you! And I despise RHQ those who rebel against you.

²² I hate them completely, and I consider that they are my enemies.

³ They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; the poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.

⁴ Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; rescue me from unjust men; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁵ The proud have hid a snare for me, and have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; they set a stumbling block for me near the path. Pause.

⁶ I said to the Lord, You are my God; listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

⁷ O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; you have screened my head in the day of battle.

⁸ Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: they have devised mischief against me; forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.

⁹ As for the head of them that compass me, the mischief of their lips shall cover them.

¹⁰ Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; and you shall cast them down in afflictions: they shall not bear up under them.

¹¹ A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

¹² I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, and the right of the needy ones.

¹³ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name: the upright shall dwell in your presence.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You keep watch over my steps and my sleep, and have knowledge of all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue which is not clear to you, O Lord.

⁵ I am shut in by you on every side, and you have put your hand on me.

⁶ Such knowledge is a wonder greater than my powers; it is so high that I may not come near it.

⁷ Where may I go from your spirit? how may I go in flight from you?

⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there: or if I make my bed in the underworld, you are there.

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and go to the farthest parts of the sea;

¹⁰ Even there will I be guided by your hand, and your right hand will keep me.

¹¹ If I say, Only let me be covered by the dark, and the light about me be night;

¹² Even the dark is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day: for dark and light are the same to you.

¹³ My flesh was made by you, and my parts joined together in my mother's body.

¹⁴ I will give you praise, for I am strangely and delicately formed; your works are great wonders, and of this my soul is fully conscious.

¹⁵ My frame was not unseen by you when I was made secretly, and strangely formed in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being.

¹⁷ How dear are your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the number of them!

¹⁸ If I made up their number, it would be more than the grains of sand; when I am awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would put the sinners to death, O God; go far from me, you men of blood.

²⁰ For they go against you with evil designs, and your haters make sport of your name.

²¹ Are not your haters hated by me, O Lord? are not those who are lifted up against you a cause of grief to me?

²² My hate for them is complete; my thoughts of them are as if they were making war on me.

³ Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways;

⁴ For there is not yet a word on my tongue, but lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.

⁶ O knowledge too wonderful for me! it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? and whither flee from thy presence?

⁸ If I ascend up into the heavens thou art there; or if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there;

⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn 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 And if I say, Surely darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night;

¹² Even darkness hideth not from thee, and the night shineth as the day: the darkness is as the light.

¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins; thou didst cover me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made. Marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My bones were not hidden from thee when I was made in secret, curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my unformed substance, and in thy book all my members were written; during many days were they fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ But how precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with thee.

¹⁹ Oh that thou wouldest slay the wicked, O God! And ye men of blood, depart from me.

²⁰ For they speak of thee wickedly, they take thy name in vain, thine enemies.

²¹ Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? and do not I loathe them that rise up against thee?

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

³ Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.

⁴ They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of saps is under their lips.

⁵ Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps.

⁶ The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.

⁷ I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.

⁸ O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.

⁹ Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.

¹⁰ The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.

¹¹ Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.

¹² A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.

¹³ I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.

¹⁴ But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.

³ You observe where I go and when I rest. You're familiar with everything I do.

⁴ Lord, you even know what I'm going to say before I say it.

⁵ You're always there—behind me, in front of me, and all around me. You place your caring hand on me.

⁶ This amazing knowledge you have is far beyond me, way beyond my understanding!

⁷ Where can I go that you're not already there? Where can I run to escape your presence?

⁸ If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I lie down in Sheol, look—you are there too!

⁹ If I were to fly away on wings of the dawn to the east; if I were to live on the far western shore of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would support me.

¹¹ If I asked the darkness to hide me, and light to become night around me,

¹² Even darkness would not be dark for you, and the night would be bright as day, for darkness is like light to you.

¹³ You made me from the inside out, shaping me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you for making me in such an awesome and wonderful way. What you do is incredible—I realize this completely!

¹⁵ My growing body was not hidden from you as I was formed in secret, as I was intricately put together “in the depths of the earth.”

¹⁶ You saw me as an embryo, and in your book all my days were written down—the days that were made for me before any of them existed.

¹⁷ God, your thoughts are so valuable to me! Taken together, they can't be counted!

¹⁸ If I tried to count them, they would be more than every grain of sand. Yet when I awake I am still with you.

¹⁹ God, if you would only kill the wicked! Murderers, get away from me!

²⁰ When they speak of you they're being deceptively evil. Since they are your enemies, they call on you in vain.

²¹ Lord, don't I hate those who hate you? I despise those who rebel against you!

²² I hate them with absolute hatred—they have become my enemies!

³ Thou compassest my pathes, and my lying downe, and art accustomed to all my wayes.

⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but loe, thou knowest it wholy, O Lord.

⁵ Thou holdest mee straite behinde and before, and layest thine hand vpon me.

⁶ Thy knowledge is too wonderfull for mee: it is so high that I cannot attaine vnto it.

⁷ Whither shall I goe from thy Spirite? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

⁸ If I ascende into heauen, thou art there: if I lye downe in hell, thou art there.

⁹ Let mee take the winges of the morning, and dwell in the vttermost parts of the sea:

¹⁰ Yet thither shall thine hand leade me, and thy right hand holde me.

¹¹ If I say, Yet the darkenes shall hide me, euen the night shalbe light about me.

¹² Yea, the darkenes hideth not from thee: but the night shineth as the day: the darkenes and light are both alike.

¹³ For thou hast possessed my reines: thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe.

¹⁴ I will praise thee, for I am fearefully and wonderously made: marueilous are thy workes, and my soule knoweth it well.

¹⁵ My bones are not hid from thee, though I was made in a secret place, and facioned beneath in the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see me, when I was without forme: for in thy booke were all things written, which in continuance were facioned, when there was none of them before.

¹⁷ Howe deare therefore are thy thoughtes vnto me, O God! how great is ye summe of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they are moe then the sand: when I wake, I am still with thee.

¹⁹ Oh that thou wouldest slay, O God, the wicked and bloody men, to whom I say, Depart ye from mee:

²⁰ Which speake wickedly of thee, and being thine enemies are lifted vp in vaine.

²¹ Doe not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and doe not I earnestly contend with those that rise vp against thee?

²² I hate them with an vnfained hatred, as they were mine vtter enemies.

³ Thou measurest my going about 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 hemmed me in behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; too 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 the nether-world, 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 would Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand would hold me.

¹¹ And if I say: 'Surely the darkness shall envelop me, and the light about me shall be night';

¹² Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee, but the night shineth as the day; the darkness is even as the light.

¹³ For Thou hast made my reins; Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

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

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance, and in Thy book they were all written — even the days that were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How weighty also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand; were I to come to the end of them, I would still be with Thee.

¹⁹ If Thou but wouldest slay the wicked, O God — depart from me therefore, ye men of blood;

²⁰ Who utter Thy name with wicked thought, they take it for falsehood, even Thine enemies —

²¹ Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee? And do not I strive with those that rise up against Thee?

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

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 moe 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.

³ My walking and my lying down hast thou limited, and with all my ways art thou acquainted.

⁴ For, while there is not a word on my tongue, lo, thou, O Lord, knowest it entirely.

⁵ Behind and before hast thou hedged me in, and thou placest upon me thy hand.

⁶ Too wonderful is such knowledge for me: it is too exalted, I cannot attain unto it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee away from thy presence?

⁸ If I should ascend into heaven, thou art there; and if I should make my bed in the nether world, behold, thou art there.

⁹ If I should lift up the wings of the morning-dawn, if I should dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:

¹⁰ Even there would thy hand lead me, and thy right hand would seize hold of me.

¹¹ If I said, Surely darkness shall enshroud me, and into night be turned the light about me:

¹² Yet even darkness can obscure nothing from thee; but the night will shine like the day; both the darkness and the light are alike to thee.

¹³ For thou possessest my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will thank thee therefore, that I am so fearfully and wonderfully made: wonderful are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My being was not concealed from thee, when I was made in secret, when I was so to say embroidered in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ My undeveloped substance did thy eyes see; and in thy book were all of them written down—the days which have been formed, while yet not one of them was here.

¹⁷ And how precious are unto me thy thoughts, O God! how mightily great is their sum!

¹⁸ Should I count them, they would be more numerous than the sand: I awake, and I am still with thee.

¹⁹ If thou wouldst but slay the wicked, O God! and ye men of blood, depart from me.

²⁰ Who speak of thee for a wicked end, thy enemies, that bear thy name for a vain purpose.

²¹ Behold, those that hate thee I ever hate, O Lord; and for those that rise up against thee do I feel loathing.

²² With the utmost hatred do I hate them: enemies are they become unto me.

³ Who have devised injustice in their hearts; All the day they prepared war.

⁴ They have sharpened their tongue as the tongue of a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Pause.

⁵ Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; Rescue me from unjust men; Who have purposed to overthrow my goings.

⁶ The proud have hidden a snare for me, And have stretched out ropes for snares for my feet; They set a stumbling block for me near the path. Pause.

⁷ I said to the Lord, Thou art my God; Hearken, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication.

⁸ O Lord God, the strength of my salvation; Thou hast screened my head in the day of battle.

⁹ Deliver me not, O Lord, to the sinner, according to my desire: They have devised mischief against me; Forsake me not, lest they should be exalted. Pause.

¹⁰ As for the head of them that compass me, The mischief of their lips shall cover them.

¹¹ Coals of fire shall fall upon them on the earth; And thou shalt cast them down in afflictions: They shall not bear up under them.

¹² A talkative man shall not prosper on the earth: Evils shall hunt the unrighteous man to destruction.

¹³ I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the poor, And the right of the needy ones.

¹⁴ Surely the righteous shall give thanks to thy name: The upright shall dwell in thy presence.

³ Thou seest my path and my lying-down, And art acquainted with all my ways!

⁴ For before the word is upon my tongue, Behold, O LORD! thou knowest it altogether!

⁵ Thou besettest me behind and before, And layest thine hand upon me!

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain to it!

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit, And whither shall I flee from thy presence?

⁸ If I ascend into heaven, thou art there! If I make my bed in the underworld, behold, thou art there!

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the remotest 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 didst form my reins; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvellous are thy works, And this my soul knoweth full well!

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret. When I was curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, while yet unformed, And in thy book was every thing written; My days were appointed before one of them existed.

¹⁷ How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them!

¹⁸ If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee!

¹⁹ O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God! Ye men of blood, depart from me!

²⁰ For they speak against thee wickedly; Thine enemies utter thy name for falsehood.

²¹ Do I not hate them that hate thee, O LORD? Do I not abhor them that rise up against thee?

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

³ When I walk, when I lie you sift it, familiar with all my ways.

⁴ There is not a word on my tongue, but see! Lord, you know it all.

⁵ Behind and before you beset me, upon me you lay your hand.

⁶ It's too wonderful for me to know too lofty I cannot attain it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from your spirit? Or whither shall I flee from your face?

⁸ If I climb up to heaven, you are there: or make Sheol my bed, you are there.

⁹ If I lift up the wings of the morning and fly to the end of the sea,

¹⁰ there also your hand would grasp me, and your right hand take hold of me.

¹¹ If I say, “Let the darkness cover me, and night be the light about me,”

¹² The dark is not dark for you, but night is as light as the day.

¹³ For you did put me together; in my mother's womb you did weave me.

¹⁴ I give you praise for my fashioning so full of awe, so wonderful. Your works are wonderful. You knew me right well;

¹⁵ my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and woven in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw all my days: they stood on your book every one written down, before they were fashioned, while none of them yet was mine.

¹⁷ But how far, O God, beyond measure are your thoughts! How mighty their sum!

¹⁸ Should I count, they are more than the sand. When I wake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ Will you slay the wicked, O God? And remove from me the bloodthirsty,

²⁰ who maliciously defy you and take your name in vain.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord? Do I not loathe those who resist you?

²² With perfect hatred I hate them, I count them my enemies.

³ When I walk, when I lie you sift it, familiar with all my ways.

⁴ There is not a word on my tongue, but see! Lord, you know it all.

⁵ Behind and before you beset me, upon me you lay your hand.

⁶ It's too wonderful for me to know too lofty I cannot attain it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from your spirit? Or whither shall I flee from your face?

⁸ If I climb up to heaven, you are there: or make Sheol my bed, you are there.

⁹ If I lift up the wings of the morning and fly to the end of the sea,

¹⁰ there also your hand would grasp me, and your right hand take hold of me.

¹¹ If I say, “Let the darkness cover me, and night be the light about me,”

¹² The dark is not dark for you, but night is as light as the day.

¹³ For you did put me together; in my mother's womb you did weave me.

¹⁴ I give you praise for my fashioning so full of awe, so wonderful. Your works are wonderful. You knew me right well;

¹⁵ my bones were not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, and woven in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw all my days: they stood on your book every one written down, before they were fashioned, while none of them yet was mine.

¹⁷ But how far, O God, beyond measure are your thoughts! How mighty their sum!

¹⁸ Should I count, they are more than the sand. When I wake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ Will you slay the wicked, O God? And remove from me the bloodthirsty,

²⁰ who maliciously defy you and take your name in vain.

²¹ Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord? Do I not loathe those who resist you?

²² With perfect hatred I hate them, I count them my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Adonai , you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol ·Place of the dead·, behold, you are there!

⁹ If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;

¹⁰ Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night;”

¹² even the darkness does not hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ Adonai , don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You observe my path and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

⁴ For before there is a word on my tongue, you know it completely, Yahweh.

⁵ Behind me and before me you surround me and place your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too much for me; it is too high, and I cannot reach it.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

⁸ If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.

⁹ If I fly away on the wings of the morning and go to live in the uttermost parts across the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, your right hand will hold on to me.

¹¹ If I said, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light will become night around me,”

¹² even the darkness would not be dark to you. The night would shine like the day, for the darkness and the light are both alike to you.

¹³ You formed my inner parts; you formed me in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I will praise you, for I am wonderfully made. My soul knows this very well.

¹⁵ My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in private, when I was intricately made in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ You saw me inside the womb; all the days assigned to me were recorded in your book even before the first one happened.

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts to me, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I tried to count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you would kill the wicked, God; get away from me, you violent men.

²⁰ They rebel against you and act deceitfully; your enemies tell lies.

²¹ Do I not hate those, Yahweh, who hate you? Do I not despise those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them completely; they have become my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

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

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.

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

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

⁸ If I ascend 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 Yes, 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: wonderful are thy works; and that my soul well knoweth.

¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously formed in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thy eyes saw my substance, yet being imperfect; 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 to 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 thy 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 my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, LORD, you know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.

⁶ This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.

⁷ Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could 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 dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,

¹⁰ even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me. The light around me will be night,”

¹² even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.

¹³ For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.

¹⁵ My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!

¹⁸ If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

¹⁹ If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

²⁰ For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.

²¹ LORD, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?

²² I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.

³ thou hast inquired of my path and my cord. And thou hast before-seen all my ways;

⁴ for no word is in my tongue. Lo! Lord, thou hast known all things,

⁵ the new things and eld or old; thou hast formed me, and hast set thine hand on me.

⁶ Thy knowing is made wonderful of me; it is comforted, and I shall not be able to it.

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit; and whither shall I flee from thy face?

⁸ If I shall ascend or go up into heaven, thou art there; if I shall go down into hell, thou art present.

⁹ If I shall take my feathers full early; and shall dwell in the last parts of the sea.

¹⁰ And soothly thither thine hand shall lead me forth; and thy right hand shall hold me.

¹¹ And I said, In hap darknesses shall defoul me; and the night is my lightening in my delights.

¹² For why darknesses shall not be made dark from thee, and the night shall be lightened as the day; as the darknesses thereof, so and the light thereof.

¹³ For thou haddest in possession my reins; thou tookest me up from the womb of my mother.

¹⁴ I shall acknowledge to thee, for thou art magnified dreadfully; thy works be wonderful, and my soul shall know that full much.

¹⁵ My bone, which thou madest in private, is not hid from thee; and my substance formed in the lower parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes saw mine unperfect thing, and all men shall be written in thy book; days shall be formed, and no man is in those or them.

¹⁷ Forsooth, God, thy friends be made honourable full much to me; the prince-hood of them is comforted full much.

¹⁸ I shall number them, and they shall be multiplied above the gravel; I rose up, and yet I am with thee.

¹⁹ For thou, God, shalt slay sinners; ye men-quellers, bow away from me.

²⁰ For they say in thought; Take they their cities in vanity.

²¹ Lord, whether I hated not them that hated thee; and I failed, that is, mourned greatly, on thine enemies?

²² By perfect hatred I hated them; they were made enemies to me.

³ thou hast inquired (of) my path and my cord. And thou hast before-seen all my ways; (thou hast examined my path, and my resting places. And thou hast foreseen all my ways.)

⁴ for no word is in my tongue. Lo! Lord, thou hast known all things, (Yea, there is no word on my tongue, behold! Lord; but that thou not knowest it first.)

⁵ the new things and eld; thou hast formed me, and hast set thine hand on me. (Thou art behind me, and before me; and thou hast set thy hand upon me.)

⁶ Thy knowing is made wonderful of me; it is comforted, and I shall not be able to it. (Thy abundant knowledge is so wonderful to me; yea, it is so very great, and I shall never be able to comprehend it all.)

⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit; and whither shall I flee from thy face? (Where shall I go from thy spirit; and where shall I flee from thy presence?)

⁸ If I shall ascend into heaven, thou art there; if I shall go down into hell, thou art present. (If I shall go up into heaven, thou art there; if I shall go down into Sheol, or into the land of the dead, thou art there also.)

⁹ If I shall take my feathers full early; and shall dwell in the last parts of the sea. (If I shall take flight early in the morning; or if I shall live on the farthest edge, or the coast, of the sea.)

¹⁰ And soothly thither thine hand shall lead me forth; and thy right hand shall hold me. (Even there thy hand shall lead me forth; and thy right hand shall keep me safe.)

¹¹ And I said, In hap darknesses shall defoul me; and the night is my lightening in my delights. (And I said, Perhaps the darkness shall cover me; or the light all around me shall become my night.)

¹² For why darknesses shall not be made dark from thee, and the night shall be lightened as the day; as the darknesses thereof, so and the light thereof. (But the darkness shall not be dark for thee, and the night shall be like the daylight; yea, to you, the darkness is no different than the light.)

¹³ For thou haddest in possession my reins; thou tookest me up from the womb of my mother. (For thou haddest my reins in thy possession or For thou formedest my inner parts; yea, thou madest me in my mother’s womb.)

¹⁴ I shall acknowledge to thee, for thou art magnified dreadfully; thy works be wonderful, and my soul shall know (that) full much. (I shall praise thee, for thou art greatly to be feared or for thou hath filled me with awe; thy works be wonderful, and I truly know that.)

¹⁵ My bone, which thou madest in private, is not hid from thee; and my substance (formed) in the lower parts of earth. (My bones, which thou madest in secret, be not a mystery to thee; yea, when my substance was formed in the lower parts of the earth.)

¹⁶ Thine eyes saw mine unperfect thing, and all men shall be written in thy book; days shall be formed, and no man is in those. (Thine eyes saw my imperfect substance, and all was written in thy Book; but when those days were formed, no man was there.)

¹⁷ Forsooth, God, thy friends be made honourable full much to me; the princehood of them is comforted full much. (But, God, how deep be thy thoughts to me; and how many of them there be!)

¹⁸ I shall number them, and they shall be multiplied above the gravel; I rose up, and yet I am with thee. (If I tried to count them all up, their number would be more than all the grains of sand. And then I awake; and still I am with thee.)

¹⁹ For thou, God, shalt slay sinners; ye men-quellers, bow away from me. (O God, I wish that thou wouldest kill the sinners; ye murderers, go far away from me!)

²⁰ For they say in thought; Take they their cities in vanity. (For out loud they say against thee, We shall take thy name in vain.)

²¹ Lord, whether I hated not them that hated thee; and I failed, that is, mourned greatly, on (those who be) thine enemies? (Lord, how I hate those who hate thee; and I am greatly grieved by those who be thy enemies!)

²² By perfect hatred I hated them; they were made enemies to me. (Yea, with perfect hatred I hate them; they be made my enemies too.)

³ My path and my couch Thou hast fanned, And with all my ways hast been acquainted.

⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, Lo, O Jehovah, Thou hast known it all!

⁵ Behind and before Thou hast besieged me, And Thou dost place on me Thy hand.

⁶ Knowledge too wonderful for me, It hath been set on high, I am not able for it.

⁷ Whither do I go from Thy Spirit? And whither from Thy face do I flee?

⁸ If I ascend the heavens — there Thou art, And spread out a couch in Sheol, lo, Thee!

⁹ I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,

¹⁰ Also there Thy hand doth lead me, And Thy right hand doth hold me.

¹¹ And I say, 'Surely darkness bruiseth me, Then night is light to me.

¹² Also darkness hideth not from Thee, And night as day shineth, as is darkness so is light.

¹³ For Thou — Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou dost cover me in my mother's belly.

¹⁴ I confess Thee, because that with wonders I have been distinguished. Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul is knowing it well.

¹⁵ My substance was not hid from Thee, When I was made in secret, Curiously wrought in the lower part of earth.

¹⁶ Mine unformed substance Thine eyes saw, And on Thy book all of them are written, The days they were formed — And not one among them.

¹⁷ And to me how precious have been Thy thoughts, O God, how great hath been their sum!

¹⁸ I recount them! than the sand they are more, I have waked, and I am still with Thee.

¹⁹ Dost Thou slay, O God, the wicked? Then, men of blood, turn aside from me!

²⁰ Who exchange Thee for wickedness, Lifted up to vanity are Thine enemies.

²¹ Do not I hate, Jehovah, those hating Thee? And with Thy withstanders grieve myself?

²² With perfect hatred I have hated them, Enemies they have become to me.