Scottish Parliament Wednesday 5 April 2000 (Afternoon)
[The Presiding Officer opened the meeting at 14:30]
I have much pleasure in welcoming the Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan, the minister of St Giles Cathedral, to lead our time for reflection today.
Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan (Minister of St Giles Cathedral):
I will read part of Psalm 139.
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
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.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
A prayer:
Almighty God, Spirit of life and love,
Our author and our destiny,
in whom we live and move and have our being;
We offer now our thanks and praise
for this land which we love,
its beauty and its people,
And pray for help to serve its needs
and right its wrongs
and live with common purpose;
Upon us here, and people everywhere on earth,
we seek thy blessing, wisdom, truth and help,
and ask for grace to serve with cheerfulness
and live in humble hope and generosity.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.