Ever Present God (Psalm 139)

“I feel a kinship to King David, author of the psalms, because it was more natural for him to sing about God than to speak about him. I hope that as you sing this psalm that you will recapture some of the original ‘heart’ of David, the man after God’s own heart.” – Wayne Tester

Oh Lord, You have searched me and known me
You know when I lay down and when I rise up
And from heaven You discover my thoughts
You observe my wanderings and my dreaming
You are aware of all my ways

Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord
You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me
It is higher; I am unable to reach it

Where can I hide to escape Your Spirit
Where can I flee from Your presence
If I climb to the sky, You are there
If I go underground, You are there
If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits
Even there Your hand will lead me
Your right hand would hold on to me

If I say, “Let the darkness hide me
And let the light around me turn into night”
Even in darkness I cannot hide from You
To You the night shines bright as day
Darkness and light are the same to You

You are the One who created my deepest parts
You formed me in my mother’s womb
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Your works are miraculous
And my soul knows it very well

My bones were not hidden from You
When I was made in secret
When I was formed in the depths of the earth

Your eyes saw me when I was formless
All my days were written in Your book
And planned before a single one of them began

How precious also are Your thoughts
Concerning me, oh God
How vast their sum is
If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand
When I wake up, I am still with You

God, do away with wickedness for good
Keep away from me, those who thirst for blood
Who speak against You wickedly

Your enemies take Your name in vain
Oh Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate You
See how I loathe all this godless arrogance
I hate it with all my heart
Your enemies are my enemies

Search me, God, and know my heart
Test me and know my concerns
See if there is any sinful way in me
Lead me in the everlasting way