O Lord, thou do'st me search, and know, Whether I sit, or rise

Verse 1

O Lord, thou do'st me search, and know, Whether I sit, or rise.

Verse 2

My thoughts, far distant from my Breast, Thy piercing Sight descries.

Verse 3

My Path, and Bed, thou do'st surround, And knowest all my Ways.

Verse 4

There's not a Word couch'd in my Tongue, But, Lord, thine Eye surveys.

Verse 5

Behind, before, thou hast beset, And on me laid thine Hand.

Verse 6

Such Knowledge is too wondrous high. For me to understand.

Verse 7

Where shall I from thy Spirit go? Or from thy Presence fly?

Verse 8

If Heav'n I climb, thou'rt there; lo there, If deep in Earth I ly.

Verse 9

If on the Morning Wings, I flee To utmost Bounds of Seas:

Verse 10

Thy Hand must first conduct me there, There would thy Right-hand seise.

Verse 11

Or should I think to hide, behind The Curtains of the Night; Ev'n Night itself would round me shine, As Noon Days strongest Light.

Verse 12

No Darkness can obscure thy Sight; Thus Day, and Night, agree; The darkest Night, and brightest Day, Are both alike to Thee.

Verse 13

My inmost Reins, which thou didst form, Are still possess'd by Thee; Thou, in the Womb, with tender Care, Did'st wrap, and cover me.

Verse 14

Thy Wonders, in my curious Frame, My Admiration raise; My Soul, thy marv'lous Works, knows well, And gives to Thee the Praise.

Verse 15

My Substance was not hid from Thee, Who me in Secret wrought; And, in the Depth of Earth, the Parts To closest Union brought.

Verse 16

Thine Eyes beheld my unformed Mass, The daily Growth it took; And all my Members yet unshap'd. Were entered in thy Book.

Verse 17

How precious are thy Thoughts to me! O God, how wondrous kind! From first, to last, how great's their Sum! No Power of mine can find.

Verse 18

Should I attempt to number them, They far surpass the Sand; Whene'er I wake, I'm still with Thee, Supported by thine Hand.

Verse 19

Surely the Men that wicked are, Thou wilt destroy, O God Therefore, from my Society, Depart, ye Men of Blood.

Verse 20

For their vile Tongues against Thee speak, And impiously proclaim; Thine Enemies, perfidious take In vain thy sacred Name.

Verse 21

Are not those Men, that hate Thee, Lord, Most hateful in mine Eyes? Is not mine Heart ev'n broke to see, Against Thee, how they rise?

Verse 22

Such Men, I utterly abhor, And number with my Foes.

Verse 23

Search me, and know my Heart; and all, My secret Thoughts disclose.

Verse 24

Discover ev'ry harbour'd Crime, That lurketh in my Breast; And lead me, all my future Days, The Way to endless Rest.