The best gifts come from
those who know us best, and no one knows us better than God. These passages
tell us about how well He knows each of us.
As usual, all scriptural
text is from the New Jerusalem Bible and the blue scriptural citations are
hyperlinks that will get you to other translations.
But whether you stand up
or you sit down, whether you go out or you come in, I know it.
Yahweh's eyes rove to and
fro across the whole world to support those whose hearts are loyal to him.
For his eyes keep watch on
human ways, and he observes every step.
From heaven Yahweh looks down, he sees
all the children of Adam, 14 from the place where he sits he watches
all who dwell on the earth; 15 he alone molds their hearts, he
understands all they do.
You know well the insults,
the shame and disgrace I endure. Every one of my oppressors is known to you.
As tenderly as a father
treats his children, so Yahweh treats those who fear him; 14 he knows of what we are made, he remembers that we are dust.
Yahweh, you examine me and know me, 2
you know when I sit, when I rise, you understand my thoughts from afar.3
You watch when I walk or lie down, you know every detail of my conduct.
4 A word is not yet on my tongue before
you, Yahweh, know all about it. 5 You fence me in,
behind and in front, you have laid your hand upon me. 6
Such amazing knowledge is beyond me, a height to which I cannot attain.
7 Where shall I go to escape your spirit?
Where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I scale the
heavens you are there, if I lie flat in Sheol, there you are.
9 If I speed away on the wings of the
dawn, if I dwell beyond the ocean, 10 even there your hand
will be guiding me, your right hand holding me fast.
11 I will say, 'Let the darkness cover me,
and the night wrap itself around me,'12 even darkness to you
is not dark, and night is as clear as the day.
13 You created my inmost self, knit me
together in my mother's womb.14 For so many marvels I thank you; a
wonder am I, and all your works are wonders.
You knew me through and through,15
my being held no secrets from you, when I was being formed in secret, textured
in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes could see my embryo. In your
book all my days were inscribed, every one that was fixed is there.
***
23 God, examine me and know my heart, test
me and know my concerns. 24 Make sure that I am not on my way to
ruin, and guide me on the road of eternity.
For the eyes of Yahweh
observe human ways, and survey all human paths.
The eyes
of Yahweh are everywhere: observing the wicked and
the good.
Sheol
and Perdition lie open to Yahweh; how much more the human heart!
God observes the very
soul and accurately surveys the heart, listening to every word.
You know
me, Yahweh, you see me, you probe my heart, which is close to yours.
I,
Yahweh, search the heart, test the motives, to give each
person what his conduct and his actions deserve.
Your
Father knows what you need before you ask him
So do not worry; do not
say, "What are we to eat? What are we to drink? What are we to wear?"32 It is the gentiles
who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need
them all. See also Luke 12:29-30
Can you
not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without
your Father knowing. See also Luke 12:6
Lord,
you can read everyone's heart
No
created thing is hidden from him; everything is uncovered and stretched fully
open to the eyes of the one to whom we must give account of ourselves.
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