Poems (Toke)/Psalm CXXXIX

by Emma Toke

PSALM CXXXIX,

HOU, Lord, hast searched and known my ways,
Mine inmost feelings meet Thy gaze;
Thy presence all my path enfolds,
Each thought and word Thine eye beholds.

Above, below, yea, all around,
I feel Thy hand—Thou still art found,—
Such wisdom soars too high for me:
What mortal thought can compass Thee!

Oh, where shall I Thy presence fly,
Oh, where escape Thy searching eye?
In Heaven above—in Hell below,
Where'er I turn to, there art Thou.

Yes, if on Morning's dewy wings,
With rapid flight my spirit springs,
O'er ocean's utmost bounds to dwell,
Thy right hand guides and guards me still.

And if I say, Night's darkest hour
Shall shield me from Thy searching power,
Ah, no! for then it turns to light,
And shows me still beneath Thy sight.

Yea, darkness hideth not from Thee,
But bright as noon's refulgent ray,
To Thee the shadowy midnight glows,
And every thought and action shows.

Lord, I will praise Thy holy Name,
For strange and fearful is my frame;
Wondrous in all Thy works art Thou,
As well this grateful heart doth know.

Long ere I saw the light of day,
Thine eye could trace mine earthly way;
O God, how precious is each thought
To me, with all Thy mercies fraught!

How great their sum! no tongue can count
The drops which flow from that pure fount;
More than the sands which bound the sea:
When I awake I'm still with Thee.

Thou wilt, O Lord, the wicked slay,—
Ye sinful men, away, away!
They dare to speak against Thy Name,
And e'en Thy holy word defame.

Do not I hate those impious bands
Who hate Thy holy, just commands?
Do not I grieve to see them rise,
As though they were mine enemies?

Search me, O God, and know my heart,
Oh, try each inmost thought apart,
And see if evil dwells in me,
And lead me in the way to Thee.

E.

August, 1831.