Psalm 139

(Verse Memory is a Spiritual Discipline that I am not particularly fond of...because I'm not particularly *good* at it. However, Psalm 139 is a passage of scripture that addresses my insecurities, offers me peace and hope, and puts my heart always at ease. These words are valuable to me. So, I've set out to memorize them. And, the task has been far easier than I would have imagined! I am sure that this passage will make multiple appearances in future posts, so here it is, in it's entirety. The first 10 or 11 verses are typed by memory.) PSALM 139

Oh Lord, You have searched me and you know me.
You know when i sit and when i rise,
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down,
You are familiar with all of my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know it completely, oh Lord.
You hem me in - behind and before me,
You have laid your hand upon me.
Where can i go from Your Spirit?
Where can i flee from Your presence?
If i go up to the heavens, You are there.
If i make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If i rise on the wings of the dawn,
If i settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
If i say, "Surely the darkness will hide me,
the light will turn to night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to You,
the night will shine like the day
for darkness is as light to You.
For You created my inmost being,
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
i praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful
i know that full well.
my frame was not hidden from You
when i was made in the secret place
when i was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes say my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are Your thoughts, Oh God!
How vast is the sum of them.
Where i to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When i awake, i am still with you.
If only you would slay the wicked, Oh God!
Away from me you bloodthirsty men!
They speak of You with evil intent;
Your adversaries misuse Your name.
Do i not hate those who hate You, oh Lord,
and abhor those who rise up against You?
i have nothing but hatred for them,
i count them my enemies.
Search me Oh God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Typed up while enjoying a mug of Irish Breakfast Black Tea)