Psalms 139
The psalmist acknowledges God's all-knowing and all-present nature, stating that God has examined and understood his thoughts, actions, and ways. He affirms that God is present everywhere, even in darkness and death, and that God's knowledge is too wonderful to comprehend. The psalmist also expresses his hatred for those who hate God and asks God to examine his heart and lead him in the way of eternity.
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. O Lord, you have examined me, and you have known meYou have known my sitting down and my rising up againYou have understood my thoughts from afar. My path and my fate, you have investigatedAnd you have foreseen all my ways. For there is no word in my tongueBehold, O Lord, you have known all things: the newest and the very old. You have formed me, and you have placed your hand over meYour knowledge has become a wonder to me. It has been reinforced, and I am not able to prevail against itWhere will I go from your Spirit? And where will I flee from your faceIf I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I descend into Hell, you are nearIf I assume my feathers in early morning, and dwell in the utmost parts of the seaeven there, your hand will lead me forth, and your right hand will hold meAnd I said: Perhaps darkness will overwhelm me, and the night will be my illumination, to my delightBut darkness will not be impenetrable to you, and night will illuminate like the day: for just as its darkness is, so also is its lightFor you have possessed my temperament. You have supported me from the womb of my motherI will confess to you, for you have been magnified terribly. Your works are miraculous, as my soul knows exceedingly wellMy bone, which you have made in secret, has not been hidden from you, and my substance is in accord with the lower parts of the earthYour eyes saw my imperfection, and all this shall be written in your book. Days will be formed, and no one shall be in themBut to me, O God, your friends have been greatly honored. Their first ruler has been exceedingly strengthenedI will number them, and they will be more numerous than the sand. I rose up, and I am still with youO God, if only you would cut down sinners. You men of blood: depart from meFor you say in thought: They will accept your cities in vainHave I not hated those who hated you, Lord, and wasted away because of your enemiesI have hated them with a perfect hatred, and they have become enemies to meExamine me, O God, and know my heart. Question me, and know my pathsAnd see if there might be in me the way of iniquity, and lead me in the way of eternity
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