1 O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; ♦
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You mark out my journeys and my resting place ♦
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 For there is not a word on my tongue, ♦
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You encompass me behind and before ♦
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, ♦
so high that I cannot attain it.
6 Where can I go then from your spirit? ♦
Or where can I flee from your presence?
7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; ♦
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning ♦
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9 Even there your hand shall lead me, ♦
your right hand hold me fast.
10 If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me ♦
and the light around me turn to night,’
11 Even darkness is no darkness with you;
the night is as clear as the day; ♦
darkness and light to you are both alike.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; ♦
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13 I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; ♦
marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.
14 My frame was not hidden from you, ♦
when I was made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; ♦
already in your book were all my members written,
16 As day by day they were fashioned ♦
when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep are your counsels to me, O God! ♦
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, ♦
and at the end, I am still in your presence.
19 O that you would slay the wicked, O God, ♦
that the bloodthirsty might depart from me!
20 They speak against you with wicked intent; ♦
your enemies take up your name for evil.
21 Do I not oppose those, O Lord, who oppose you? ♦
Do I not abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with a perfect hatred; ♦
they have become my own enemies also.
23 Search me out, O God, and know my heart; ♦
try me and examine my thoughts.
24 See if there is any way of wickedness in me ♦
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.
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