OVERCOME BY HIS PRESENCE

Psalm 139 For the Music Director. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thought from far off. 3 You search my path and my lying down and are aware of all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it fully. 5 You put Yourself behind and before me, and keep Your hand on me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is lofty, and I cannot fathom it. 7 Where shall I go from Your spirit, or where shall I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell at the end of the sea, 10 even there Your hand shall guide me, and Your right hand shall take hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light shall be as night about me,” 12 even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines as the day, for the darkness is like light to You. 13 You brought my inner parts into being; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise you, for You made me with fear and wonder; marvelous are Your works, and You know me completely. 15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and intricately put together in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw me unformed, yet in Your book all my days were written, before any of them came into being. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. 19 If only You would slay the wicked, O God! O violent men, depart from me. 20 For they speak against You with malice, and Your enemies take your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not abhor those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my concerns, 24 and see if there is any rebellious way in me, and lead me in the ancient way.