Chapter 138

God's knowledge, ℣.7 and presence (℣.10 without the help, or hinderance of any thing) extendeth to all things, times, and places. ℣.17 He giveth exceeding great honour to his saints, ℣.20 the wicked, as enemies of God, are justly hated, ℣.23 the just pray for God's perpetual direction.

1. 1

   Unto the end, a Psalm of David. Lord thou hast proved me, and hast known me:

2. 2

   thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.

3. 3

   Thou hast understood my cogitations far off: my path, and my cord thou hast searched out.

4. 4

   And thou hast foreseen all my ways: because there is not a word in my tongue.

5. 5

   Behold, o Lord, thou hast known all the last things, & them of old: thou hast formed me, and hast put thy hand upon me.

6. 6

   Thy knowledge is become marvelous of me: it is made great, and I can not reach to it.

7. 7

   Whither shall I go from thy spirit? And whither shall I fly from thy face?

8. 8

   If I shall ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.

9. 9

   If I shall take my wings early, and dwell in the extreme parts of the sea.

10. 10

    Certes thither also shall thy hand conduct me: and thy right hand shall hold me.

11. 11

    And I said: Perhaps darkness shall tread over me: and the night is mine illumination in my delights.

12. 12

    For darkness shall not be darkened from thee, and the night shall be lightened as the day: as the darkness thereof, so also the light thereof.

13. 13

    Because thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast received me from my mother's womb.

14. 14

    I will confess to thee, because thou art terribly magnified: thy works are marvelous, & my soul knoweth exceedingly.

15. 15

    My bone is not hid from thee, which thou madest in secret: and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.

16. 16

    Mine imperfection thine eyes have seen, & in thy book all shall be written: days shall be formed, & no man in them.

17. 17

    But to me thy friends, o God, are become honourable exceedingly: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.

18. 18

    I will number them, and they shall be multiplied above the sand: I rose up and I am yet with thee.

19. 19

    If thou shalt kill sinners, o God: ye men of blood depart from me.

20. 20

    Because you say in thought: they shall receive thy cities in vain.

21. 21

    Did not I hate them that hate thee, o Lord: and pined away because of thine enemies?

22. 22

    with perfect hatred did I hate them: they are become enemies to me.

23. 23

    Prove me, o God, and know my heart: examine me, and know my paths.

24. 24

    And see, if the way of iniquity be in me: and conduct me in the everlasting way.