To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

1O LORD, You have searched me, and know me. 2You know when I stand and when I sit, You perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You observe my paths, my lying down; and are acquainted with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue, LORD, You know it altogether. 5You have hemmed me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence? 8If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in the grave, behold, You are there. 9If I take the wings of the dawn, and dwell in the farthest parts of the sea, 10Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me fast.

11If I say, “Surely the darkness shall hide me; even the light shall be night around me.” 12Even the darkness does not hide things from You; but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13For You have created my innermost parts; You have knit me in my mother's womb. 14I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are marvelous, and that my soul knows very well. 15My substance was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16Your eyes saw my yet-unformed being; and all my members were ordained and written in Your book, when as yet there was none of them. 17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

19If only You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, you bloodthirsty men. 20For they speak against You wickedly, and Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21Do I not hate them, O LORD, that hate You? And am I not grieved with those who oppose You? 22I hate them with total hatred; I count them my enemies. 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; 24And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in Your way everlasting.