Comfort
in being known,
comfort in being seen.
May God give continuing guidance.
You
search me, Lord, and know me.
Wherever I sit or stand,
you read my inmost thoughts;
whenever I walk or rest,
you know where I have been.
Before
a word slips from my tongue,
Lord, you know what I will say.
You close in on me,
pressing your hand upon me.
All this overwhelms me--
too much to understand!
Where
can I hide from you?
How can I escape your presence?
I scale the heavens, you are there!
I plunge to the depths, you are there!
If
I fly toward the dawn,
or settle across the sea,
even there you take hold of me,
your right hand directs me.
If
I think night will hide me
and darkness give me cover,
I find darkness is not dark.
For your night shines like day,
darkness and light are one.
You
created every part of me,
knitting me in my mother's womb.
For such handiwork, I praise you.
Awesome this great wonder!
I see it so clearly!
You
watched every bone
taking shape in secret,
forming in the hidden depths.
You saw my body grow
according to your design.
You
recorded all my days
before they ever began.
How deep are your thoughts!
How vast their sum!
like countless grains of sand,
well beyond my grasp.
Lord,
destroy the wicked,
save me from killers.
They ploy evil schemes,
they blaspheme against you.
How
I hate those who hate you!
How I detest those who defy you!
I hate with a deadly hate
these enemies of mine.
Search
my heart, probe me, God!
Test and judge my thoughts.
Look! do I follow crooked paths?
Lead me along your ancient way.