The Psalms of David in meeter: newly translated, and diligently compared with the originall text, and former translations, more plaine, smooth, and agreeable to the text, then any heretofore. ; Allowed by the authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and appointed to be sung in congregations and families.

PSAL. CXXXIX. To the chief musician, A Psalm of David. (Book 139)

O Lord thou hast me search'd and known. Thou knowst my sitting down,Line 2 And rising up; yea, all my thoughts afar to thee are known. My footsteps, and my lying downLine 3 thou compassest alwayes; Thou also most intirely art acquaint with all my wayes.

For in my tongue, before I speak,Line 4 not any word can be, But altogether, lo, O Lord, it is well known to thee. Behinde, before, thou hast beset,Line 5 and laid on me thy hand. Such knowledge is too strange for me,Line 6 too high to understand.

From thy sp'rit whither shall I go?Line 7 or from thy presence fly? Ascend I heav'n, lo, thou art there;Line 8 there if in hell I ly. Take I the mornings wings, and dwellLine 9 in utmost parts of sea: Ev'n there, Lord, shall thy hand me lead,Line 10 thy right hand hold shall me.

If I do say, that darknesse shallLine 11 me cover from thy sight, Then surely shall the very night about me be as light. Yea, darknesse hideth not from thee,Line 12 but night doth shine as day: To thee the darknesse and the light are both alike alway,

For thou possessed hast my reins,Line 13 and thou hast covered me, When I within my mothers womb inclosed was by thee, Thee will I praise, for fearfullyLine 14 and strangely made I am; Thy works are marvelous, and right well my soul doth know the same.

My substance was not hid from thee,Line 15 when as in secret I Was made, and in earths lowest parts was wrought most curiously. Thine eyes my substance did behold,Line 16 yet being unperfite, And in the volume of thy book my members all were writ,

Which after in continuance were fashion'd every one, When as they yet all shapelesse were, and of them there was none. How precious also are thy thoughtsLine 17 O gracious God, to me? And in their summe how passing great and numberlesse they be?

If I should count them, then the sandLine 18 they more in number be: VVhat time soever I awake, I ever am with thee. Thou, Lord, wilt sure the wicked slay:Line 19 hence from me bloudy men. Thy foes against thee lewdly speak,Line 20 and take thy Name in vain.

Do not I hate all those, O Lord,Line 21 that hatred bear to thee? VVith those that up against thee rise can I but grieved be? VVith perfect hatred them I hate,Line 22 my foes I them do hold. Search me, O God, and know my heart,Line 23 try me my thoughts unfold:

And see if any wicked wayLine 24 there be at all in me; And in thine everlasting way to me a leader be.