1[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me.

2You alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts from far away.

3You watch me when I travel and when I rest. You are familiar with all my ways.

4Even before there is a [single] word on my tongue, you know all about it, LORD.

5You are all around me-in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.

6Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it.

7Where can I go [to get away] from your Spirit? Where can I run [to get away] from you?

8If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.

9If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun [or] land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets,

10even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me.

11If I say, "Let the darkness hide me and let the light around me turn into night,"

12even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same [to you].

13You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother.

14I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.

15My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, when I was being skillfully woven in an underground workshop.

16Your eyes saw me when I was only a fetus. Every day [of my life] was recorded in your book before one of them had taken place.

17How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God! How vast in number they are!

18If I try to count them, there would be more of them than there are grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

19I wish that you would kill wicked people, O God, and that bloodthirsty people would leave me alone.

20They say wicked things about you. Your enemies misuse your name.

21Shouldn't I hate those who hate you, O LORD? Shouldn't I be disgusted with those who attack you?

22I hate them with all my heart. They have become my enemies.

23Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts.

24See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.