Psalms 139 (NASB)

24 verses · New American Standard Bible · Formal equivalence (most literal)

The NASB is widely regarded as the most literally accurate English translation. It is the standard for in-depth word study and academic analysis, preserving the exact structure and terminology of the original languages as closely as possible.

Psalms Chapter 139 contains 24 verses and is presented here in the New American Standard Bible (NASB), which uses a formal equivalence (most literal) approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 150 chapters in Psalms.

NIVKJVESVNLTMSG
Chapter 138Chapter 140

1For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known [me].

2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar.

3You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

4Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.

5You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.

6[Such] knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is [too] high, I cannot attain to it.

7Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

8If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

9If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

10Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

11If I say, 'Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,'

12Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike [to You].

13For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.

14I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

15My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was not one of them.

17How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

19O that You would slay the wicked, O God; Depart from me, therefore, men of bloodshed.

20For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take [Your name] in vain.

21Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

22I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies.

23Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

24And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Chapter 138Read in NIVChapter 140

About This Translation

What is Psalms 139 in the NASB?

Psalms 139 in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) contains 24 verses. The NASB uses a formal equivalence (most literal) approach, first published in 1971 (rev. 2020).

How does the NASB translate Psalms 139 differently?

The New American Standard Bible uses formal equivalence (most literal), balancing accuracy with modern readability. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Psalms 139 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Psalms 139 (NASB)?

Psalms Chapter 139 contains 24 verses in the New American Standard Bible. The book of Psalms has 150 chapters total.

Psalms (NASB) — All 150 Chapters