America At 250: A Presidential Prayer/O Lord Thy All Discerning Eyes

 

 

 

 

 

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or
 set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight
 is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. 
(Psalm 1:1-2)

 

 

 

John Quincy Adams
Image courtesy/White House Historical Association

O Lord, Thy all discerning eyes

My inmost purpose see;

My deeds, my words, my thoughts arise

Alike disclosed to Thee:

My sitting down, my rising up,

Broad noon, and deepest night,

My path, my pillow, and my cup

Are open to Thy sight.

Before, behind, I meet Thine eye,

And feel Thy heavy hand:

Such knowledge is for me too high,

To reach or understand:

What of Thy wonders can I know?

What of Thy purpose see?

Where from Thy Spirit shall I go?

Where from Thy presence flee? 

If I ascend to Heaven on high,

Or make my bed in hell;

Or take the morning's wings and fly

O'er ocean's bound to dwell;

Or seek, from Thee, a hiding place

Amid the gloom of night-

Alike to Thee are time and space,

The darkness and the light. 

 

"O Lord Thy All Discerning Eyes"
John Quincy Adams
(1767-1848)
6th President of the United States of America