I am working through the very prolific Michael Herry’s collection Dare to Dream, which is freely available as sheet music at his website.
The refrain text is anonymous and adapted by his collaborator Tricia Walsh. The verses are Psalm 138. It is indeed a prayer of trust. The refrain is metrical and the verse chant. You’ll get the idea from the You-Tube version.
For BIAB I had to make things more metrical (and folky) and it worked better than usual. The notes are for the first verse and I’ll leave you sort things out for the rest.
You know the way for me; you know the time.
Into your hands I trustingly place mine.
Your plan is perfect, born of perfect love,
You know the way, your way is love.
1 O lord, you search me and you know me,
You know my resting and my rising,
You mark when I walk or lie down,
All my ways lie open to you.
2 O where can I go from your spirit,
Or where can I flee from your face?
If I climb to the heavens, you are there.
If I lie in the grave you are there.
3 If I take the wings of dawn
And dwell at the sea’s furthest end,
Even there your hand would lead me.
Your right hand would hold me fast.
4 For it was you who created my being,
Knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I thank you for the wonder of my being,
For the wonders of all your creation.
5 To me, how mysterious your thoughts,
The sum of them not to be numbered!
If I count them, they are more than the sand;
To finish, I must be eternal, like you.
6 O search me God and know my heart.
O test me and know my thoughts.
See that I follow not the wrong path
And lead me in the path of life eternal.