Psalms 139:7
What does Psalms 139:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:7 means
Here, David begins to explore the logical conclusion of God's omnipresence, asking rhetorical questions that emphasize the impossibility of escape. He realizes there is no place to flee from God's Spirit or His personal presence. These questions are not born of a desire to escape God, but rather demonstrate his profound understanding that God is truly everywhere, a powerful and comforting truth. There is no corner of creation where God is not present and active.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Where may I go from your spirit? how may I go in flight from you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Whither do I go from Thy Spirit? And whither from Thy face do I flee?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? and whither flee from thy presence?
Context
Having expressed his awe at God's incomprehensible knowledge and encompassing presence in verse 6, David now directly poses questions about escaping God's omnipresence. These rhetorical questions initiate a series of examples in the subsequent verses, illustrating the vastness of creation where God's presence is unequivocally found, whether in the highest heavens or the lowest depths.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 23:23
Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?
- Jonah 1:3
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.
- Jonah 1:10
Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, What is this that thou hast done? For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, because he had told them.
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