1 T o the Overseer. -- A Psalm by David. Jehovah, Thou hast searched me, and knowest.

2 T hou -- Thou hast known my sitting down, And my rising up, Thou hast attended to my thoughts from afar.

3 M y path and my couch Thou hast fanned, And all my ways hast been acquainted.

4 F or there is not a word in my tongue, Lo, O Jehovah, Thou hast known it all!

5 B ehind and before Thou hast besieged me, And Thou dost place on me Thy hand.

6 K nowledge too wonderful for me, It hath been set on high, I am not able for it.

7 W hither do I go from Thy Spirit? And whither from Thy face do I flee?

8 I f I ascend the heavens -- there Thou, And spread out a couch in Sheol, lo, Thee!

9 I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,

10 A lso there Thy hand doth lead me, And Thy right hand doth hold me.

11 A nd I say, `Surely darkness bruiseth me, Then night light to me.

12 A lso darkness hideth not from Thee, And night as day shineth, as darkness so light.

13 F or Thou -- Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou dost cover me in my mother's belly.

14 I confess Thee, because that wonders I have been distinguished. Wonderful Thy works, And my soul is knowing well.

15 M y substance was not hid from Thee, When I was made in secret, Curiously wrought in the lower part of earth.

16 M ine unformed substance Thine eyes saw, And on Thy book all of them are written, The days they were formed -- And not one among them.

17 A nd to me how precious have been Thy thoughts, O God, how great hath been their sum!

18 I recount them! than the sand they are more, I have waked, and I am still with Thee.

19 D ost Thou slay, O God, the wicked? Then, men of blood, turn aside from me!

20 W ho exchange Thee for wickedness, Lifted up to vanity Thine enemies.

21 D o not I hate, Jehovah, those hating Thee? And with Thy withstanders grieve myself?

22 p erfect hatred I have hated them, Enemies they have become to me.

23 S earch me, O God, and know my heart, Try me, and know my thoughts,

24 A nd see if a grievous way be in me, And lead me in a way age-during!