Lyrics

Donald first dipped his feet in the publishing world by writing metrical psalms—setting the biblical Psalms to meter for congregational singing. Many of these psalms have been published in hymnals and psalters, and have been incorporated into family and church liturgies across the country. Along the way he has also written a few hymns and shanties.

1 O LORD, You’ve searched and known me well,

2 and when I sit or stand.

You understand my faintest thoughts;

when in a distant land.

3 You fully comprehend my path

and how I lie in bed.

You are acquainted with my ways;

You know the road I tread.

4 There’s not a word upon my tongue,

that I can call my own,

O LORD, before I speak, behold!

It’s altogether known.

5 You’ve hedged me in behind! Before!

You’ve stayed me with Your hand.

6 Your cunning is too much for me,

too high to understand.

7 Where can I leave Your Spirit, Lord?

or from Your presence flee?

8 If I ascend the sky, You’re there;

You’re in the grave with me.

9 If I arise on morning’s wings

or live at ocean’s end;

10 while there, I know I’ll still be led,

and held by Your right hand.

11 If I say “Darkness covers me,

I’m hidden by the night,

You even see in midnight’s gloom;

to You it shines as light.

12 The darkness shall not hide from You,

but nights shine bright as days:

indeed, the darkness and the light

are equal to Your gaze.

Psalm 139:1-12