You know all about it, Lord (website only)

Based on Psalm 139

Lord, you’ve searched me, and you know me
When I sit and when I rise.
You know my thoughts from far away,
You know all about it, Lord.

You’re aware of all my ways,
You know my travels and my rest.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.

You’ve encircled me,
Your Spirit I can’t escape;
Heaven or Sheol, you are there,
You know all about it, Lord.

You’re aware of all my ways,
You know my travels and my rest.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.

Your hand will lead me, and will hold me
Through the dark and through the light.
All my troubles are alike to you,
You know all about it, Lord.

You’re aware of all my ways,
You know my travels and my rest.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord.

You created me,
and I will praise you.
Through you I’ve been remarkably made,
Amen!
You know all about it, Lord.

You’re aware of all my ways,
You know my travels and my rest.
Before a word is on my tongue,
You know all about it, Lord (repeat).

Words and music: © 2020 Matthew Lovlie
Music arrangement: W. Mathews – download as a PDF

Ideas for use

This is a version of Psalm 139 that will take some work to prepare for worship, but the lyrical, contemporary style is accessible and, with leadership from a band and a small group of singers, this setting offers a meaningful rendition of the psalm in which a whole congregation can participate. (And there is also the option of the psalm being performed by a choir or worship band alone.)

One approach will be to teach the congregation the four-line refrain (“You’re aware of all my ways...”) and have them join in for this – noting that, in this arrangement, a descant and additional voice are added for the third and fourth time it is sung. 

More information

This isn’t the only version of Psalm 139 that you’ll find in Singing the Faith. Bernadette Farrell’s O God, you search me and you know me (StF 728) is a popular paraphrase that stays closer to the original. However, the style and simplicity of Matthew’s setting will be an attraction for many. His use of the recurring phrase “You know all about it, Lord” is a memorable ‘tag line’ for the psalm as a whole and one to reflect on even when the rest of the psalm cannot be recalled in full.

Matthew was inspired to write the song during a morning devotion in July 2020. He recorded it on his phone and sent it to his choir director, who arranged it for their church choir at New Castle United Methodist Church, Delaware, US. It was first performed by them in October 2021.

Matthew, whose mother-in-law was raised in England, lives in an historic river town in Delaware, with his wife, Esther. He says that, together, they once owned and operated an artisan coffee shop there. With an interval of time with the Episcopal Church in Delaware, Matthew has attended the United Methodist Church most of his life, and has developed his creativity in a variety of directions, including play writing and acting.