The Psalms of David ‎#CXXXIX

CXXXIX. Thou, LORD, by strictest Search hast known

1 Thou, LORD, by strictest Search hast known
My rising up and lying down;
My secret Thoughts are known to thee,
Known long before conceiv'd by me.

2 Thine Eye my Bed and Path surveys,
My public Haunts and private Ways;
Thou know'st what 'tis my Lips would vent,
My yet unutter'd Words' Intent.

3 Surrounded by thy Pow'r I stand,
On every Side I find thy Hand;
O Skill, for human Reach too high!
Too dazzling bright for mortal Eye!

4 O, could I so perfidious be,
To think of once deserting thee;
Where, LORD, could I thy Influence shun,
Or whither from thy Presence run?

5 If up to Heav'n I take my Flight,
'Tis there thou dwell'st enthron'd in Light,
If down to Hell's infernal Plains,
'Tis there Almighty Vengeance reigns.

6 If I the Morning's Wings could gain,
And fly beyond the Western Main;
Thy swifter Hand would first arrive,
And there arrest thy Fugitive.

7 Or should I try to shun thy Sight
Beneath the sable Clouds of Night;
One Glance from thee, on piercing Ray
Would kindle Darkness into Day.

8 The Veil of Night is no Disguise,
No Screen from thy all-searching Eyes;
Thro' Midnight Shades thou find'st thy Way,
As in the blazing Noon of Day.

9 Thou know'st the Texture of my Heart,
My Reins and ev'ry vital Part;
Each single Thread in Nature's Loom,
By thee was cover'd in the Womb.

10 I'll praise thee, from whose Hands I came,
A Work of such a curious Frame;
The Wonders thou in me hast shown,
My Soul with grateful Joy must own.

11 Thine Eyes my Substance did survey,
Whilst yet a lifeless Mass it lay,
In secret; how exactly wrought,
Ere from its dark Enclosure brought.

12 Thou didst the shapeless Embryo see,
Its Parts were register'd by thee;
Thou saw'st the daily Growth they took,
Form'd by the Model of thy Book.

13 Let me acknowledge too, O GOD!
That since this Maze of Life I trod,
Thy Thoughts of Love to me, surmount
The Pow'r of Numbers to recount.

14 Far sooner could I reckon o'er
The Sands upon the Ocean's Shore:
Each Morn revising what I've done,
I find th' Account but new begun.

15 The Wicked thou shalt slay, O GOD!
Depart from me, ye Men of Blood,
Whose Tongues Heav'n's Majesty profane,
And take th' Almighty's Name in vain.

16 LORD, hate not I their impious Crew,
Who thee with Enmity pursue?
And does not Grief my Heart oppress,
When Reprobates thy Law transgress?

17 Who practise Enmity to Thee,
Shall utmost Hatred have from me;
Such Men I utterly detest,
As if they were my Foes profess'd.

18 Search, try, O GOD, my Thoughts and Heart,
If Mischief lurks in any Part;
Correct me, whem I go astray,
And guide me in thy perfect Way.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou, LORD, by strictest Search hast known
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1767
• Scripture:
  Psalm 139
• Topic: Songs of Praise to God: his Majesty and Attributes

Tune Information

• Name: [Thou, Lord, by strictest Search hast known]
• Key: C Major