Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7–10
Words: Elizabeth M. Clark, in The International Lesson Hymnal, edited by David Cook (Chicago, Illinois: David C. Cook, 1878), number 32.
Music: Key West Elizabeth M. Clark, 1879 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Clark (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O Thou whose all-pervading eye
Infinite space doth fill,
Assist me with becoming awe
To bow before Thy will;
For tho’ I mount the wingèd winds,
And fly thro’ endless space,
E’en there Thy penetrating eye
My track would surely trace.
Without the domain of Thy sight
No mortal can repose,
For, tho’ they seek the shades of night,
Lo, there Thy presence goes;
If I to Heaven’s portals fly,
Or make my bed in hell,
Behold, Thy searching eye abides
Wherever I may dwell.
Help me, O Lord, with godly fear,
And love and holy trust,
To walk uprightly in Thy sight,
Till I return to dust;
Of Thy free grace, O Lord, supply,
Hear this my constant prayer,
That whether it be life or death,
Oh, let me find Thee there.