Psalms 139:9
What does Psalms 139:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 139:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 139:9 means
Expanding on God's omnipresence, David uses a poetic image of speed and distance: taking "the wings of the morning" to the "uttermost parts of the sea." This metaphor represents the farthest eastern reaches (sunrise) to the westernmost limits (the distant sea), symbolizing the entire horizontal expanse of the world. Even if he could travel with such incredible swiftness to the most remote places, God would still be there.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
KJV
King James Version · 1611If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If I take the wings of the morning, and go to the farthest parts of the sea;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890[If] I take the wings of the dawn [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Context
Building on the vertical examples of God's omnipresence in verse 8 (heaven and Sheol), this verse extends the concept to the vast horizontal spread of the earth. It uses vivid imagery of travel to the furthest regions, preparing the reader for the ultimate assurance that even in these distant places, God's personal guidance and sustained presence remain, as expressed in the next verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.
- Psalms 74:16
The day is thine, the night also is thine: Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
- Psalms 19:6
His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
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