You search me and know me You know when
I sit and when I rise
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely
You're familiar with my going up and lying down
All my ways
Where can I go from Your Spirit
Or flee from Your presence?
If I go to the heavens You are there
If I make my bed in the depths of the sea You are there
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
If I settle on distant shores
Even there Your hand will guide me
Even there Your right hand will hold me fast
Created and woven together
In my mother's womb
I'll praise You for I've been made
Fearfully and wonderfully
If I go to the heavens You are there
If I make my bed in the depths of the sea You are there
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
If I settle on distant shores
Even there Your hand will guide me
Even there Your right hand will hold me fast
How precious to me are Your thoughts
How vast the sum of them
If I were to count them
They'd number far more than the sand
How precious to me are Your thoughts
How vast the sum of them
Far too great for me to ever understand
So search me Search me O God
And know my heart
Try me and know my thoughts
See if there be in me
Any wicked way
Then lead me down the road everlasting
If I go to the heavens You are there
If I make my bed in the depths of the sea You are there
If I rise on the wings of the dawn
If I settle on distant shores
Even there Your hand will guide me
Even there Your right hand will hold me fast
Hold me fast
Hold Me Fast (Psalm 139)
Hold Me Fast (Psalm 139) Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Aaron Shust's song "Hold Me Fast (Psalm 139)", released with its video on September 6, 2023, offers a musical reflection on one of the most profound chapters in the Psalms, exploring themes of God's omnipresence, omniscience, and intimate involvement in human creation. The lyrical content draws directly from the foundational scripture, articulating the comprehensive nature of divine awareness and presence. It begins by contemplating God's thorough knowledge of human activity and thought, emphasizing that sitting, rising, and even unspoken words are fully known before they are formed. This establishes a sense of complete transparency before the divine.
The song progresses to explore the inescapable reality of God's presence throughout the universe. It posits the impossibility of fleeing from God's Spirit or presence, illustrating this through vivid imagery. Whether one ascends to the highest heavens or descends to the deepest parts of the sea, God is there. Similarly, journeying to the edges of the dawn or settling on distant shores highlights the vastness of space and distance, yet the lyric affirms that even in these remote locations, God's hand provides guidance and His right hand holds fast. This recurring theme throughout the song serves as a powerful anchor, reinforcing the message of unwavering divine closeness.
A section of the song focuses on the miraculous nature of human creation, drawing from the psalm's reflection on being formed in the mother's womb. The lyrics express praise for this intricate and deliberate creation, acknowledging being "fearfully and wonderfully" made. This segment underscores the personal and intimate aspect of God's relationship with humanity, viewing each individual life as a carefully crafted work.
The reflection then turns to the magnitude of God's thoughts towards humanity. The lyrics describe these thoughts as precious and immeasurably vast, numbering more than grains of sand. This conveys a sense of the infinite depth and richness of divine perspective and care, acknowledging that these thoughts are far too great for human comprehension. It highlights the awe and wonder inspired by contemplating the vastness of God's mind.
Concluding the spiritual journey depicted in the song is a prayerful surrender. The lyric becomes a plea for God to search the heart and mind, to test and know one's thoughts, and to reveal any path that is not aligned with His will. This invitation for divine examination is coupled with a request for guidance onto the "road everlasting," signifying a desire for righteous living and eternal alignment with God's purposes. The song culminates by reiterating the central promise of God's inescapable presence and His firm grip, repeating the assurance that even in the most distant reaches, He will hold fast.
