Psalm 139 7

Psalm 139:7 kjv

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Psalm 139:7 nkjv

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

Psalm 139:7 niv

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:7 esv

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

Psalm 139:7 nlt

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!

Psalm 139 verses

Psalm 139 7 Meaning

Psalm 139:7 profoundly declares God's omnipresence, emphasizing that His divine being, specifically His Spirit and active presence, permeates all creation and cannot be escaped. It is a rhetorical question that asserts the absolute impossibility of fleeing from the Creator, regardless of location or intention. This foundational truth underscores His complete knowledge, sovereign power, and unceasing involvement in every aspect of existence.

Psalm 139 7 Context

Psalm 139 is a profound reflection on God's omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent attributes. The psalm begins with the psalmist's awe at God's comprehensive knowledge of his innermost being (vv. 1-6), encompassing his thoughts, actions, and very words before they are spoken. Verse 7 specifically transitions from God's intimate knowledge to His inescapable presence. Historically, the assertion of an omnipresent God would have been a stark contrast to the polytheistic beliefs of the ancient world, where deities were often localized to specific temples, geographic regions, or national boundaries. The psalm directly refutes any notion of a limited god, declaring Yahweh as transcendent over all space and utterly present in every part of it, offering a unique monotheistic polemic.

Psalm 139 7 Word analysis

• "Where" (אָ֫נָה 'ānâ): An interrogative particle, serving not as a literal question seeking an answer, but as a rhetorical device emphasizing the impossibility of finding a place beyond God's reach. It sets up the profound declaration that follows.

• "can I go" (אֵלֵךְ 'ēlēḵ): From the verb hālak (הָלַךְ), meaning "to walk, go, depart." Here in the first person imperfect, indicating continuous or habitual action. It signifies any form of movement or travel, no matter how distant.

• "from your Spirit" (מֵרוּחֲךָ mêrūăḥăḵā):

  • mê (מִן): "from," indicating separation or source.
  • ruach (רוּחַ): A foundational Hebrew term with multiple meanings: "wind, breath, spirit." In this context, it refers to the very active, pervading, life-giving essence of God. It is the divine agent by which God's presence is made known and by which He interacts with creation. It highlights the divine, intelligent, and life-imparting aspect of God's presence.

• "Or where" (וְאָן wᵉ'ān):

  • wᵉ (וְ): "and" or "or," connecting the two parallel phrases.
  • 'ān (אָן): A variant of 'ānâ, again a rhetorical interrogative "where," reinforcing the emphasis on the utter futility of seeking an escape.

• "can I flee" (אֶבְרַח 'eḇraḥ): From the verb bāracḥ (בָּרַח), meaning "to flee, escape, go rapidly." This verb implies a desperate attempt to elude, to get away from something unwanted or inescapable. It denotes an intention to avoid encounter.

• "from your presence" (מִפָּנֶיךָ mippānêḵā):

  • mê (מִן): "from," identical to the first instance.
  • pānîm (פָּנִים): Meaning "face," but commonly used to signify "presence," "countenance," or "in the sight of." It conveys God's personal, direct, and active presence, implying a relationship or encounter. It speaks of where God reveals Himself.

• "Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?":

  • This entire couplet employs synonymous parallelism, where the second line reinforces and elaborates on the first using different words.
  • "Go" and "flee" are actions of movement, highlighting the futility of physical or mental escape.
  • "Your Spirit" and "Your presence" are parallel references to God Himself, emphasizing His holistic omnipresence. The Ruach (Spirit) indicates the active, pervasive, and energetic aspect of God's being that permeates all things. Panim (Presence/Face) speaks of the personal, confrontational, and manifest aspect of God. Together, they confirm that God's very essence is unbounded and all-encompassing. The questions underscore not a desire to escape, but the sheer wonder and inescapable reality of this divine attribute.

Psalm 139 7 Bonus section

• The Hebrew words Ruach (Spirit) and Panim (Presence) highlight different facets of God's omnipresence. Ruach often implies the energetic, active, life-giving power and consciousness of God diffused throughout creation. Panim refers to the personal manifestation or revelation of God, signifying His direct confrontation, interaction, or being face-to-face with something or someone. The use of both underscores that God's omnipresence is not a mere static filling of space, but an active, conscious, and personal involvement.
• This verse can be understood as laying the theological groundwork for the New Testament understanding of God dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit (e.g., Rom 8:9-11), reinforcing the intimate and inescapable relationship with God for those who are in Christ.
• While this verse primarily extols God's magnificent attribute of omnipresence, it also implicitly conveys security. If God is everywhere, then believers are never truly alone or abandoned. This truth forms the basis for trust and peace, even in daunting circumstances.

Psalm 139 7 Commentary

Psalm 139:7 serves as a magnificent declaration of God's omnipresence, transitioning from His boundless knowledge of human thoughts and actions to the impossibility of physically or spiritually eluding His divine being. The rhetorical questions are a poetic exclamation of awe, underscoring that no place exists outside of God's sovereign dominion and active oversight—be it the highest heavens or the deepest depths of Sheol, the darkness of night, or the farthest reaches of the sea, as subsequent verses will elaborate. This truth provides profound comfort for the righteous, assuring them of God's constant accompaniment and support in every circumstance. Conversely, it serves as a solemn reminder to the wicked that divine judgment is equally inescapable, for there is no place to hide from the Holy One of Israel. It asserts Yahweh's unparalleled nature, contrasting with finite, localized deities of pagan traditions by presenting Him as the truly unbounded and ever-present God of all creation.