This one came to me in the middle of the night. Insomnia usually doesn’t equal inspiration for me; it usually just causes incoherence. When God speaks, however, the words are clear and beautiful, even if I’m exhausted and muddle-headed. Enjoy this rhyming version of Psalm 139 He gave to me. (Note: I am not trying to say I am re-writing the Bible, just writing poems at times based on Bible verses. The real thing is much better.)

photo credit: Mission Venture Ministries

139^th Psalm

Oh Lord, I know You’ve searched me and
You know me very well.
You know my standing, sitting, thoughts
Before a soul could tell.
You know the path I plan to take
And when I take my rest.
You are the One who knows my ways
And thoughts the very best.
I cannot speak a word that You
Don’t know before it sounds.
You are behind me and before.
Your hand is all around.
Such knowledge is too wonderful
For me to comprehend.
I cannot understand Your ways
Or where it all may end.
Where can I hide from You, O God,
Where can I try to flee?
If I ascend to heaven, Lord,
You’re there ahead of me.
If I should make my bed in hell,
Behold, You’re also there.
If I take wings of morning and
Dwell in the sea somewhere
Thy hand still leads me and I’m held
In Your unfailing hand.
If I ask darkness, “Hide me, now.”
Your light still fills the land.
The darkness shall not hide me for
The night shines bright as days.
The darkness and the light are just
Alike beneath your gaze.
For You alone have formed my parts
Within my mother’s womb.
I praise You for I’m so well-made:
A miracle in bloom.
Your works are marvelous, O God,
My soul knows this is true.
My substance was not hidden there
As I was made by You.
Some secret place, I know not where,
You found my every part,
And fashioned me as written:
Head, toes, arms and legs and heart!
How precious are Your thoughts toward me!
How great their number, too!
If I should try to count them out–
That’s something I can’t do!
They number more than grains of sand.
Whenever I awake,
You’re always there, and so, O God,
This is the prayer I make:
Please slay the wicked; make them leave
For they speak wickedly.
Those who misuse Your name, I hate!
They are my enemy.
Do I not hate these evil men
Who take Your name in vain?
O search me, God, and know my heart
To You, my thoughts are plain.
Please see if there’s a wicked way
That’s hidden deep in me
And lead me in Your righteousness.
Forever, let it be.
Amen

© 2013 Denise McKenney

Feel free to print, share or repost anything on this blog. I do ask that you let me know if you use one of my poems on your blog or at your church somehow. It might give me an idea of better ways to spread His words, which I am always looking to do. And of course, always keep the copyright symbol and my name with the poem so I continue to have the right to use them. You may not realize that if something is posted enough times without the copyright notice, I could lose the copyright and then someone else could conceivably file for a copyright and I would no longer be able to use my own poems! It has happened, so please make sure the (c) is always on the poem whenever you repost. Thanks!

God bless,
Denise McKenney