Ash Wednesday Psalm and Prayer

Psalm 139 (a paraphrase from The Celtic Treasure by Philip Newell)

You have searched me and known me, O God.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up.

You see my path and my lying down and are familiar with all mu ways.

You enfold me before and behind, above and beneath.

Even before a word is on my lips You know it completely.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.

It is so great that I cannot grasp it.

Where can I go from Your spirit or where can shall I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven You are there.

If I make my bed in Sheol You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning to the farthest limits of the sea,

even there Your hand shall guide me and Your arm shall hold me close.

If I say, ‘Let the daylight become night so that darkness may cover me,’

even the veil of night will not hide me, for darkness is as light to You.

It was You who formed my inward parts.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

In Your book were written the days that were formed for me

even when none of them yet existed.

I sleep and I wake, I am born and I die, and always I am still with You.

Search me, O God, and know my heart. test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Prayer

You know what is within us, O God.

You know the beauty and the falseness of our hearts.

You know the height and depth of the human spirit.

Lead as further into the universe of our souls

that we may know the wisdom and strength that You have placed within us.

Lead us further into the mystery of our souls

that we may be strong and wise for the well-being of the world.

Amen.