(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

The Lord Is Always Near

1You have looked deep

into my heart, Lord,

and you know all about me.

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.

6I 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.

17 Your 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.