This song by James Walsh uses Ps 139 to make a meditation that alternates minor and major verses. I couldn’t find any biographies of the songwriter, which is a rarity in these internet days but you can hear a snippet at OCP. It is a beautiful psalm text. I’m still deciding whether the setting enhances it or not. I’ve included the descant line in the sixth verse for reference.
Verse 1
You know me, Lord, you search my heart,
My thoughts are open to your gaze.
Protect me, Lord, from evil ways
And guide me in the path of life.
Verse 2
Before a word is on my tongue
You know the secrets of my heart.
Be close to me, surround me, Lord
From all my terrors set me free.
Verse 3
Where should I go to flee from you?
How can I shelter from your face?
If heavenward, I find you there:
In earth’s dark depths you follow me.
Verse 4
If I could take the wings of dawn
And journey to the ends of earth,
Your hand would still be guiding me,
Your right hand still would hold me fast.
Verse 5
If darkness came to swallow me
And night surround me in its grasp,
No darkness would there be for you:
The light would be as light as day.
Verse 6
For it was you who fashioned me:
Knit bone to bone and flesh to flesh.
I thank you, Lord, Creator God,
That you should think and breathe on me.
Verse 7
You know me, Lord, you search my heart,
My thoughts are open to your gaze.
Protect me, Lord, from evil ways
And guide me in the path of life.
© James Walsh 1989.