Psalms 139 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Psalms 139 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
ASV O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
WEB Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.
YLT To the Overseer. --A Psalm by David. Jehovah, Thou hast searched me, and knowest.
DRB Unto the end, a psalm of David.
DBY {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known [me].
GNV To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. O Lord, thou hast tried me and knowen me.
LSB For the choir director. Of David. A Psalm. O Yahweh, You have searched me and known me.
Verse 2
KJV Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
ASV Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; Thou understandest my thought afar off.
WEB You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar.
YLT Thou--Thou hast known my sitting down, And my rising up, Thou hast attended to my thoughts from afar.
DRB Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
DBY *Thou* knowest my down-sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off;
GNV Thou knowest my sitting and my rising: thou vnderstandest my thought afarre off.
LSB You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.
Verse 3
KJV Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
ASV Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.
WEB You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
YLT My path and my couch Thou hast fanned, And <FI>with<Fi> all my ways hast been acquainted.
DRB Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.
DBY Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways;
GNV Thou compassest my pathes, and my lying downe, and art accustomed to all my wayes.
LSB You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Verse 4
KJV For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
ASV For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.
WEB For there is not a word on my tongue, but, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.
YLT For there is not a word in my tongue, Lo, O Jehovah, Thou hast known it all!
DRB They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips.
DBY For there is not yet a word on my tongue, [but] lo, O Jehovah, thou knowest it altogether.
GNV For there is not a word in my tongue, but loe, thou knowest it wholy, O Lord.
LSB Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Yahweh, You know it all.
Verse 5
KJV Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
ASV Thou hast beset me behind and before, And laid thy hand upon me.
WEB You hem me in behind and before. You laid your hand on me.
YLT Behind and before Thou hast besieged me, And Thou dost place on me Thy hand.
DRB Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps:
DBY Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thy hand upon me.
GNV Thou holdest mee straite behinde and before, and layest thine hand vpon me.
LSB You have enclosed me behind and before, And You have put Your hand upon me.
Verse 6
KJV Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
ASV [Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain unto it.
WEB This knowledge is beyond me. It’s lofty. I can’t attain it.
YLT Knowledge too wonderful for me, It hath been set on high, I am not able for it.
DRB The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.
DBY O knowledge too wonderful for me! it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.
GNV Thy knowledge is too wonderfull for mee: it is so high that I cannot attaine vnto it.
LSB Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Verse 7
KJV Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
ASV Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
WEB Where could I go from your Spirit? Or where could I flee from your presence?
YLT Whither do I go from Thy Spirit? And whither from Thy face do I flee?
DRB I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
DBY Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? and whither flee from thy presence?
GNV Whither shall I goe from thy Spirite? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
LSB Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
Verse 8
KJV If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
ASV If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
WEB If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there!
YLT If I ascend the heavens--there Thou <FI>art<Fi> , And spread out a couch in Sheol, lo, Thee!
DRB O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.
DBY If I ascend up into the heavens thou art there; or if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou [art there];
GNV If I ascende into heauen, thou art there: if I lye downe in hell, thou art there.
LSB If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
Verse 9
KJV If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
ASV If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
WEB If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;
YLT I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,
DRB Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
DBY [If] I take the wings of the dawn [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
GNV Let mee take the winges of the morning, and dwell in the vttermost parts of the sea:
LSB If I lift up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
Verse 10
KJV Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
ASV Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me.
WEB Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will hold me.
YLT Also there Thy hand doth lead me, And Thy right hand doth hold me.
DRB The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
DBY Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
GNV Yet thither shall thine hand leade me, and thy right hand holde me.
LSB Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.
Verse 11
KJV If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
ASV If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night;
WEB If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night”;
YLT And I say, `Surely darkness bruiseth me, Then night <FI>is<Fi> light to me.
DRB Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.
DBY And if I say, Surely darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night;
GNV If I say, Yet the darkenes shall hide me, euen the night shalbe light about me.
LSB If I say, “Surely the darkness will bruise me, And the light around me will be night,”
Verse 12
KJV Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
ASV Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike [to thee].
WEB even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.
YLT Also darkness hideth not from Thee, And night as day shineth, as <FI>is<Fi> darkness so <FI>is<Fi> light.
DRB A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
DBY Even darkness hideth not from thee, and the night shineth as the day: the darkness is as the light.
GNV Yea, the darkenes hideth not from thee: but the night shineth as the day: the darkenes and light are both alike.
LSB Even the darkness is not too dark for You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.
Verse 13
KJV For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
ASV For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother`s womb.
WEB For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
YLT For Thou--Thou hast possessed my reins, Thou dost cover me in my mother's belly.
DRB I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
DBY For thou hast possessed my reins; thou didst cover me in my mother's womb.
GNV For thou hast possessed my reines: thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe.
LSB For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
Verse 14
KJV I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
ASV I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
WEB I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
YLT I confess Thee, because that <FI>with<Fi> wonders I have been distinguished. Wonderful <FI>are<Fi> Thy works, And my soul is knowing <FI>it<Fi> well.
DRB But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
DBY I will praise thee, for I am fearfully, wonderfully made. Marvellous are thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.
GNV I will praise thee, for I am fearefully and wonderously made: marueilous are thy workes, and my soule knoweth it well.
LSB I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
Verse 15
KJV My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
ASV My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, [And] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
WEB My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth.
YLT My substance was not hid from Thee, When I was made in secret, Curiously wrought in the lower part of earth.
DRB
DBY My bones were not hidden from thee when I was made in secret, curiously wrought in the lower parts of the earth.
GNV My bones are not hid from thee, though I was made in a secret place, and facioned beneath in the earth.
LSB My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And intricately woven in the depths of the earth;
Verse 16
KJV Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
ASV Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, [Even] the days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was none of them.
WEB Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.
YLT Mine unformed substance Thine eyes saw, And on Thy book all of them are written, The days they were formed--And not one among them.
DRB
DBY Thine eyes did see my unformed substance, and in thy book all [my members] were written; [during many] days were they fashioned, when [as yet] there was none of them.
GNV Thine eyes did see me, when I was without forme: for in thy booke were all things written, which in continuance were facioned, when there was none of them before.
LSB Your eyes have seen my unshaped substance; And in Your book all of them were written The days that were formed for me, When as yet there was not one of them.
Verse 17
KJV How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
ASV How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
WEB How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!
YLT And to me how precious have been Thy thoughts, O God, how great hath been their sum!
DRB
DBY But how precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
GNV Howe deare therefore are thy thoughtes vnto me, O God! how great is ye summe of them!
LSB How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Verse 18
KJV If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
ASV If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: When I awake, I am still with thee.
WEB If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.
YLT I recount them! than the sand they are more, I have waked, and I am still with Thee.
DRB
DBY [If] I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I awake, I am still with thee.
GNV If I should count them, they are moe then the sand: when I wake, I am still with thee.
LSB If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
Verse 19
KJV Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
ASV Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: Depart from me therefore, ye bloodthirsty men.
WEB If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
YLT Dost Thou slay, O God, the wicked? Then, men of blood, turn aside from me!
DRB
DBY Oh that thou wouldest slay the wicked, O God! And ye men of blood, depart from me.
GNV Oh that thou wouldest slay, O God, the wicked and bloody men, to whom I say, Depart ye from mee:
LSB Oh that You would slay the wicked, O God! O men of bloodshed, depart from me.
Verse 20
KJV For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
ASV For they speak against thee wickedly, And thine enemies take [thy name] in vain.
WEB For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.
YLT Who exchange Thee for wickedness, Lifted up to vanity <FI>are<Fi> Thine enemies.
DRB
DBY For they speak of thee wickedly, they take [thy name] in vain, thine enemies.
GNV Which speake wickedly of thee, and being thine enemies are lifted vp in vaine.
LSB For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Verse 21
KJV Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
ASV Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
WEB Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?
YLT Do not I hate, Jehovah, those hating Thee? And with Thy withstanders grieve myself?
DRB
DBY Do not I hate them, O Jehovah, that hate thee? and do not I loathe them that rise up against thee?
GNV Doe not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and doe not I earnestly contend with those that rise vp against thee?
LSB Do I not hate those who hate You, O Yahweh? And do I not revile those who rise up against You?
Verse 22
KJV I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
ASV I hate them with perfect hatred: They are become mine enemies.
WEB I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.
YLT <FI> With<Fi> perfect hatred I have hated them, Enemies they have become to me.
DRB
DBY I hate them with perfect hatred; I account them mine enemies.
GNV I hate them with an vnfained hatred, as they were mine vtter enemies.
LSB I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies.
Verse 23
KJV Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
ASV Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts;
WEB Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
YLT Search me, O God, and know my heart, Try me, and know my thoughts,
DRB
DBY Search me, O God, and know my heart; prove me, and know my thoughts;
GNV Try mee, O God, and knowe mine heart: prooue me and know my thoughtes,
LSB Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
Verse 24
KJV And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
ASV And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 140 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
WEB See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
YLT And see if a grievous way be in me, And lead me in a way age-during!
DRB
DBY And see if there be any grievous way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.
GNV And consider if there be any way of wickednes in me, and leade me in the way for euer.
LSB And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.