Mary Brunton
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O Lord, thou hast searched and known me; thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.[1] The heaven of heavens containeth thee not.[2] Thine eyes are in every place.[3] Hell and destruction are before thee; how much more then, the hearts of the children of men.[4] Thou knowest our imaginations which we go about,[5] and the things which come into our minds, every one of them.[6]
Wo unto them then that seek to hide their counsel from thee; and say, who seeth us.[7] Behold, even thou hast seen it, oh Lord.[8] Thou knowest, and art a witness,[9] for can any hide himself in secret places, that thou shalt not see him? Dost thou not fill heaven and earth, O Lord![10]
Search me then, oh God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting,[11] that I may boldly say the Lord is my helper,[12] my shepherd,[13] my very present help in time of trouble,[14] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.[15]
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[1] Psalm cxxxiv. 1, 2, 3. 7, 8, 9, 10.
[2] 2 Chron. ii. 6.
[3] Prov. xv. 3.
[4] Prov. xv. 11.
[5] Deut. xxxi. 21.
[6] Ezek. xi. 5.
[7] Isaiah, xxix. 15.
[8] Jer. vii. 11.
[9] Jer. xxix. 23.
[10] Jer. xxiii. 24.
[11] Psalm cxxxix. 23.
[12] Heb. xiii. 6.
[13] Psalm xxiii. 1.
[14] Psalm xlvi. 1.
[15] Psalm lxxiii. 26.
This presentation of Emmeline. With Some Other Pieces., by Mary Brunton is Copyright 2003 by P.J. LaBrocca. It may not be copied, duplicated, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission. The text is in the public domain.