Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me

Representative Text

1 LORD, you have searched me and you know
where'er I rest, where'er I go;
you search my thoughts and know my plans,
and all my ways are in your hands.

2 My words from you I cannot hide,
you hem me in on ev'ry side;
O wond'rous knowledge, awesome might,
unfathomed depth, unmeasured height!

3 Where can I from your Spirit be?
Where can I from your presence flee?
In heav'n? it is your dwelling fair;
in death's abode? lo, you are there.

4 If I the wings of morning take,
and in the seas my dwelling make,
e'en there your faithful hand shall lead,
your right hand, LORD, is holding me.

5 If deepest darkness cover me,
to you the darkness light shall be;
if light about me be as night
to you both night and day are bright.

6 Within the womb you knitted me
so fearfully and wondrously;
I give my maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.

7 When in the depths my frame was wrought,
your eye did see, and in your thought
my life in all its perfect plan
was ordered ere my days began.

8 Your thoughts, O God, how manifold,
more precious unto me than gold!
They number more than all the sand;
awaking, still I'm in your hand.

9 Oh, that the wicked you would slay!
From men of blood I turn away;
they speak against the name divine,
I count God's enemies as mine.

10 Do I not hate your haters, LORD?
Those fighting you have I abhorred.
I hate them all most fervently
and count them as my enemies.

11 O search me, God, my heart discern,
and try me, God, my thoughts to learn;
and lead me, if in sin I stray,
to choose the everlasting way.

Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #139B

Text Information

First Line: Lord, Thou hast searched me and dost know
Title: Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me
Meter: 8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 139:1-6
st. 2 = Ps. 139:7-10
st. 3 = Ps. 139:13-14
st. 4 = Ps. 139:15-16
st. 5 = Ps. 139:23-24

A versification of much of Psalm 139, "LORD, You Have Searched Me" comes originally from The New Metrical Version of the Psalms, 1909 (published without music); Marie J. Post (PHH 5) modified it in 1986 for the Psalter Hymnal. Stanzas 1 and 5, following verses 1 and 23-24 of the biblical text, frame the entire psalm. See PHH 139 for further commentary on Psalm 139.

Liturgical Use:
See PHH 139.

--Christopher Hoh, and Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

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