Psalms, chapter 139
The Lord Is Always Near
ou have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You have looked deep into my heart, Lord, and you know all about me.
— Ps 139.1
2You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
3You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.
4Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say,
5and with your powerful arm
you protect me from every side.
6 I can't understand all of this!
Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.
7Where could I go to escape
from your Spirit or from your sight?
8If I were to climb up to the highest heavens,
you would be there.
If I were to dig down to the world of the dead
you would also be there.
9Suppose I had wings like the dawning day
and flew across the ocean.
10Even then your powerful arm
would guide and protect me.
11Or suppose I said, “I'll hide in the dark
until night comes to cover me over.”
12But you see in the dark
because daylight and dark are all the same to you.
13You are the one who put me together
inside my mother's body,
14and I praise you
because of the wonderful way you created me.
Everything you do is marvelous!
Of this I have no doubt.
15Nothing about me is hidden from you!
I was secretly woven together
out of human sight,
16but with your own eyes
you saw my body being formed.
Even before I was born, you had written in your book
everything about me.
17Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding,
much more than I could ever imagine.
18I try to count your thoughts,
but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach.
And when I awake, I will find you nearby.
19How I wish that you would kill
all cruel and heartless people and protect me from them!
20They are always rebelling and speaking evil of you.
21You know I hate anyone who hates you, Lord,
and refuses to obey.
22They are my enemies too, and I truly hate them.
23Look deep into my heart, God,
and find out everything I am thinking.
24Don't let me follow evil ways,
but lead me in the way that time has proven true.