1 Lord, you've tested me and known me,
All of me is plain to you,
Every purpose, every action,
Seated, standing, lying down,
Every thought my brain has fathomed,
Every word my tongue pronounced,
You surround me every moment,
Lord, how wonderful you are.
2 Far beyond my meagre knowledge
Is your character sublime.
Can I flee your awesome presence
Or escape beyond your power?
Heaven, grave, the farthest wavecrest?
In the darkness of the night?
Still you find me, still you hold me,
Lord, how wonderful you are.
3 Every inch of flesh and sinew,
Every blood cell, every bone,
From the hour of my conception,
Planted in my mother's womb,
You have fashioned me and formed me,
Shaped and spun me, watched me grow,
Inexhaustible your knowledge,
Lord, how wonderful you are.
4 Rid us, Lord, of mischief makers,
Tyrants, godless libertines,
All who crush the course of justice,
How I loathe such evil men!
Search me too my God, and know me
Keep me from the paths of sin,
Watch me, lead me, try me, test me,
Lord, how wonderful you are.
Paraphrase of Psalm 139, Michael Saward
© Michael Saward/Jubilate Hymns
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