Classic Poem

Part I.

Thou know'st me, O Thou only Wise,
Seest when I sit, and when I rise;
Canst my concealed thoughts disclose,
Observ'st my labours and repose;
Know'st all my counsels, all my deeds,
Each word which from my tongue proceeds.
Behind, before, by Thee enclos'd,
Thy Hand on ev'ry part impos'd.
Such knowledge my capacity
Transcends, so wonderful, so high!
O which way shall I take my flight,
Or where conceal me from Thy sight?
Ascend I heav'n, heav'n is Thy Throne;
Dive I to hell, there art Thou known.
Should I the morning's wings obtain,
And fly beyond th' Hesperian main,
Thy pow'rful Arm would reach me there,
Reduce, and curb me with Thy fear.
Were I involv'd in shades of night,
That darkness would convert to light.
What clouds can from discov'ry free?
What night, wherein Thou canst not see?
The night would shine like day's clear flame,
Darkness and light to Thee the same.
Thou sift'st my reins, ev'n thoughts to come;
Thou cloth'dst me in my mother's womb.
Great God, that hath so strangely rais'd
This fabric, be Thou ever prais'd.

Part II.

O full of admiration
Are these Thy works! to me well-known.
My bones were to Thy view display'd,
When I in secret shades was made;
When wrought by Thee with curious art,
As in the earth's inferior part.
On me, an embryon, didst Thou look;
My members written in Thy book
Before they were; which perfect grew
In time, and open to the view.
Thy counsels admirable are,
And yet as infinite as rare.
O could I number them, far more
Than sands upon the murmuring shore!
When I awake, Thy works again
My thoughts with wonder entertain.
The wicked Thou wilt surely kill.
Hence you, who blood with pleasure spill.
Their tongues Thy Majesty profane,
They take Thy Sacred Name in vain.
Lord, hate not I Thy enemies,
And grieve when they against Thee rise?
I hate them with a perfect hate,
And as my foes would ruinate.
Search and explore my heart: O try
My thoughts and their integrity.
Behold if I from virtue stray,
And lead in Thy eternal way.