Psalm 139:5-10 NRSV
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can 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 and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.

You, Mighty One, reach out your hand
Words spill from your mouth and worlds and all their wonders are created,
but for us you touch
You form
You choose the grit and slip of mud

Your hand is the tender hand of blessing
the confident hand of the artist
the calloused hand of the laborer
the open hand of welcome
the nail pierced hand of sacrifice
and grace

Your hand is the hand that guides me
I, the little child holding hands with One who knows the way
The hand on my shoulder,
strong and assuring when I am far from it
Holding me fast when I stumble into the darkness
The grip of grace when I careen towards the abyss
Holding me fast
Pulling me back from the pit
of despair
even death

You lay your hand upon me
Holding me fast on the far side of the sea
Holding me fast on the wings of the morning
Holding me fast no matter where I find myself
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me

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Hold Fast © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.