Search Me, O Lord” (A Prayer of Petition)

PART A:
Quaere me, Deus, domine, probasti me.
Search me, O Lord, Thou hast me tried.
Guide me onward to the straight path.
For you too long have I denied.

My eloquence, O Lord, truly deceives
the hidden thoughts I with you disguise.
While the world may you applaud,
still within us you know what therein lies.

The hatred of my enemies
is not what you propose.
And still in anger I often fall short.
Displeasure revealed on your furrowed brows.

Though some as nonbelievers may scorn you,
may, inquiring, find you quite odd,
in psalms you declare them ignorantly foolish,
to declare, in rebellion, there is no God.

The wicked, the ungodly,
still in your image made,
are sheep that you go after.
Their prices you’ve paid.

Lord, who am I to question
what you’ve stored in mind?
Though I have two eyes to see,
in your sight I remain blind.

The thoughts of Thee must therefore be,
that you are dear to all of us.
While we as mortals go astray,
for you, in kindness, we remain a plus.

When there was darkness, you formed light,
creating mankind from your breath and dust,
to oversee your property, the soil,
instilling in humanity an abiding trust.

Our nakedness since Eden, is still plain to see.
With garments adorned, persistently you peek.
Absolute your omniscience, total omnipotence,
to distinguish those haughty from lowly and meek.  

Lord, Thee must we honor, Thee must we praise,
with every breath taken, all the days of our lives.
Thee must we hallow, Thee must we worship,
knowing in you, our breath of life thrives.

From my mother’s womb you nourished me,
a cradled infant in your loving care.
In swaddling clothes, you kept me warm,
protecting me from all kinds of fear.

PART B:
Lord, let me be your vessel, always to bear light.
Let me be a servant, steadfast at your feet.
Let me be a lantern burnishing oil.
Let me be a furnace brimming with heat.

Brimming with passion, lead me to serve.
Your hands to guide me, help keep m safe.
And with this freedom that I am blest,
let me protect others, their lives not enslave.

On morning wings shall I soar, closely to you.
At your dwelling place, there shall I rest,
with archangels to guide me, at your behest.
There shall I be given, a glorious embrace.

From your all-seeing spirit, whither shall we go?
Whither shall we wander, if not by your side?
With a world filled with temptation, evil to face,
whither shall we wander, without you, us to guide?

The heavens declare your glory, O Lord.
The skies proclaim the work of your hands.
Your precepts are perfect, refreshing the soul.
Prostate, we honor your gracious commands.

Your knowledge, your wisdom, surpass us all,
beyond comprehension— supremely divine.
Omnipotently present, you keep us from harm.
Yours is the wisdom — ever sublime.

Lord, no words of mankind capture your Grace.
Our thoughts, though legion, are puny and small.
Made in your image, we’re shadows with form,
unmindful of ignorance that leads to befall.

What can we gain, Lord, from earthly endeavors,
toiling from morning ‘til all work is done,
hurrying and scurrying, always meandering,
toiling and plundering under the sun?

Our paths must be therefore, for us to pay heed:
The guidance you set for humanity to follow.
The teachings, the proverbs, and the wise sayings.
All else is vapor, all else is so hollow.

Domine, probasti me, everlasting your love be.
From my sitting to my rising, ever you guide me.
Domine, probasti me, we bow down before Thee.
Yours be the glory, forever to see.