Through the Bible – Day 230

₁You have looked deep

into my heart, LORD,

and you know-all about me.

₂You know when I am resting

or when I am working,

and from heaven

you discover my thoughts.

₃You notice everything I do

and everywhere I go.

₄Before I even speak a word,

you know what I will say,

₅and with your powerful arm

you protect me

from every side.

₆I can't understand all this!

Such wonderful knowledge

is far above me.

₇Where could I go to escape

from your Spirit

or from your sight?

₈If I were to climb up

to the highest heavens,

you would be there.

If I were to dig down

to the world of the dead

you would also be there.

₉Suppose I had wings

like the dawning day

and flew across the ocean.

₁₀Even then your powerful arm

would guide and protect me.

₁₁Or suppose I said, “I'll hide

in the dark until night comes

to cover me over.”

₁₂But you see in the dark

because daylight and dark

are all the same to you.

₁₃You are the one

who put me together

inside my mother's body,

₁₄and I praise you because of

the wonderful way

you created me.

Everything you do is marvellous!

Of this I have no doubt.

₁₅Nothing about me

is hidden from you!

I was secretly woven together

deep in the earth below,

₁₆but with your own eyes you saw

my body being formed.

Even before I was born,

you had written in your book

everything I would do.

₁₇Your thoughts are far beyond

my understanding,

much more than I

could ever imagine.

₁₈I try to count your thoughts,

but they outnumber the grains

of sand on the beach.

And when I awake,

I will find you nearby.

₁₉How I wish that you would kill

all cruel and heartless people

and protect me from them!

₂₀They are always rebelling

and speaking evil of you.

₂₁You know I hate anyone

who hates you, LORD,

and refuses to obey.

₂₂They are my enemies too,

and I truly hate them.

₂₃Look deep into my heart, God,

and find out everything

I am thinking.

₂₄Don't let me follow evil ways,

but lead me in the way

that time has proved true.

₁Rescue me from cruel

and violent enemies, LORD!

₂They think up evil plans

and always cause trouble.

₃Their words bite deep

like the poisonous fangs

of a snake.

₄Protect me, LORD, from cruel

and brutal enemies,

who want to destroy me.

₅Those proud people have hidden

traps and nets

to catch me as I walk.

₆You, LORD, are my God!

Please listen to my prayer.

₇You have the power to save me,

and you keep me safe

in every battle.

₈Don't let the wicked succeed

in doing what they want,

or else they might never

stop planning evil.

₉They have me surrounded,

but make them the victims

of their own vicious lies.

₁₀Tip flaming coals on them

and throw them into pits

where they can't climb out.

₁₁Chase those cruel liars away!

Let trouble hunt them down.

₁₂Our LORD, I know that you

defend the homeless

and see that the poor

are given justice.

₁₃Your people will praise you

and will live with you

because they do right.

₁I pray to you, LORD!

Please listen when I pray

and hurry to help me.

₂Think of my prayer

as sweet-smelling incense,

and think of my lifted hands

as an evening sacrifice.

₃Help me to guard my words

whenever I say something.

₄Don't let me want to do evil

or waste my time doing wrong

with wicked people.

Don't let me even taste

the good things they offer.

₅Let your faithful people

correct and punish me.

My prayers condemn the deeds

of those who do wrong,

so don't let me be friends

with any of them.

₆Everyone will admit

that I was right

when their rulers are thrown

down a rocky cliff,

₇and their bones lie scattered

like broken rocks

on top of a grave.

₈You are my LORD and God,

and I look to you for safety.

Don't let me be harmed.

₉Protect me from the traps

of those violent people,

₁₀and make them fall

into their own traps

while you help me escape.

₁I pray to you, LORD.

I beg for mercy.

₂I tell you all my worries

and my troubles,

₃and whenever I feel low,

you are there to guide me.

A trap has been hidden

along my pathway.

₄Even if you look,

you won't see anyone

who cares enough

to walk beside me.

There is no place to hide,

and no one who really cares.

₅I pray to you, LORD!

You are my place of safety,

and you are my choice

in the land of the living.

Please answer my prayer.

I am completely helpless.

₆Help! They are chasing me,

and they are too strong.

₇Rescue me from this prison,

so I can praise your name.

And when your people notice

your wonderful kindness to me,

they will rush to my side.

“I will destroy the wisdom

of all who claim

to be wise.

I will confuse those

who think they know

so much.”