Psalm 139 — Search Me, O God
O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
— Psalm 139:1–14, 23–24 (KJV)
About This Prayer
Psalm 139 is David's meditation on being completely known — every thought, every path, every word before it is spoken — and completely held, with nowhere in creation beyond God's reach. Far from finding this frightening, David finds it wonderful: the God who knows him best is the God who made him, "fearfully and wonderfully," in his mother's womb. The psalm ends by turning its great theme into a brave request: since You know me anyway, search me, and lead me in the way everlasting. ("Reins" is the old word for the inmost self.)
When to Pray This
Pray Psalm 139 when you feel unseen, unknown, or far from God — it answers all three. Its closing verses make an honest evening prayer, inviting God to search the day just ended. Many also pray it when struggling to accept themselves, letting "fearfully and wonderfully made" say what they cannot yet believe.