1Yahweh, you have examined me, and you know me.

2You know when I sit down and when I get up;
you understand my thoughts from far away.

3You observe my path and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4For before there is a word on my tongue,
you know it completely, Yahweh.

5Behind me and before me you surround me
and place your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too much for me;
it is too high, and I cannot reach it.

7Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8If I ascend up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there.

9If I fly away on the wings of the morning
and go to live in the uttermost parts across the sea,

10even there your hand will lead me,
your right hand will hold on to me.

11If I said, “Surely the darkness will cover me,
and the light will become night around me,”

12even the darkness would not be dark to you.
The night would shine like the day,
for the darkness and the light are both alike to you.

13You formed my inner parts;
you formed me in my mother's womb.

14I will praise you,
for I am wonderfully made.
My soul knows this very well.

15My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in private,
when I was intricately made in the depths of the earth.

16You saw me inside the womb;
all the days assigned to me were recorded
in your book even before the first one happened.

17How precious are your thoughts to me, God!
How vast is their sum!

18If I tried to count them, they would be more in number than the sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.

19If only you would kill the wicked, God;
get away from me, you violent men.

20They rebel against you and act deceitfully;
your enemies tell lies.

21Do I not hate those, Yahweh, who hate you?
Do I not despise those who rise up against you?

22I hate them completely;
they have become my enemies.

23Examine me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.

24See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.