Lord, thou hast search'd me, and alone

To thee my wand'ring ways are known;

In day-light walks, or when at rest,

Thou know'st the thoughts that fill my breast;

And not a word can stir my tongue,

But ere it sounds thou know'st it long:

Such knowledge is so very high,

It doth my reas'ning powers defy.

Where shall I from thy spirit flee?

Where from thy presence can I be?

Should I ascend up into heaven,

Thence are thy brightest glories given;

Or should I make my bed in hell?

There in thy terrors thou dost dwell;

Or deep in earth, or high in air,

Oh wonderful! thou still art there.

What, if I mount the morning's wings.

And visit Ocean's utmost springs?

Een as I fly, or when I stand

I'm holden by thy mighty hand.

Surely, I said, the veil of night,

Shall hide me from his piercing sight:

Still all round thy glories shine,

The day, the night are equal thine.

My substance was not hid from thee,

When wrought in secret curiously;

Thine eye my unform'd figure view'd,

And in thy book my members crude

Were written; e'en before they were

Thou saw'st their form existing there:

And in the darkness of the earth,

I was, ’till thou didst will me forth.

Thee will I praise, for thou hast made

My Soul with wonder to pervade

The produce of thy mighty will;

When I awake I'm with thee still;

How precious are thy thoughts to me

(An atom of immensity!.)

Though I could count the sandy shore,

Oh God, thy wonders still are more.

The wicked surely thou will slay,

Who turneth from thy chosen way,

Against thee speak, and ne'er refrain

To take thy holy name in vain.

I hate them, Lord, who ’gainst thee rise;

I count them all mine enemies.

Depart far off, from me, oh then,

Ye wicked and deceitful men.

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart,

And try its core's most secret part;

And see if there be any thought,

Within its sphere by Satan taught:

Oh try if there be found in me

Or wicked way or vanity.