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 A rendition of Psalm 139 which
endeavours to convey the spirit of the writer by, as accurately as possible, translating the original Hebrew words and ideas into modern
English.
Psalm
139
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of
David.
Oh Yahweh, you have examined me, and you know me.
You observe me when I sit down and you are observing me when I rise
up, you consider and understand even my remotest thoughts.
You spread out my the way of my path, and my lying down, You are
completely familiar with my entire journey.
There is not even a word that comes from my mouth but, behold, Oh
Yahweh, you are totally aware of it.
You have enclosed me, from behind and in front, and placed your hand
over me.
Your knowledge is remarkable; I cannon reach it, its
inaccessable.
Where can I walk and be out of your spirit? or where could I run and
not be before your face?
If I went up into heaven, you art there: if I was laid in a grave,
behold, you!
If I was lifted up by the wings of the dawn and placed in the in the
furtherest part of the roaring sea;
Gathering there, your guiding hands would lead me, and your right hand
will grasp and possess me.
If I said, Surely the darkness would overwhelm me; even the night
would be brightness above me.
Yes, the darkness cannot hide from you; but the night shines the same
as the day: the darkness and the light are no different to you.
Truly you own my mind: you have protected me in my mother's
womb.
I will lift up my hands and worship you; for how fearful and
extraordinary I am; the things you make are extraordinary; and my soul knows utterly.
My body was not concealed from you, when I was made in secret, and
curiously knitted together in the womb of the earth.
Your eyes gazed with approval at my wrapped embryo, and upon your
scroll everything was described, in the light of day my parts were moulded, even when as yet there
was none of them.
How precious are your thoughts to me, O God! how mighty and excellent
they are!
If I try to count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I
awake, I am still with you.
Surely you will slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore,
you men of blood.
For they speak against you wickedly, and your enemies take
your name in vain.
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