Psalms 139:7
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Original Language Analysis
אָ֭נָ֥ה
H575
אֵלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
אֵלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 6
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵרוּחֶ֑ךָ
from thy spirit
H7307
מֵרוּחֶ֑ךָ
from thy spirit
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 6
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְ֝אָ֗נָה
H575
Cross References
Jonah 1:3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he 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 the LORD.Jonah 1:10Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.
Historical Context
David wrote this profound meditation on God's omniscience and omnipresence. Ancient Near Eastern polytheism believed gods had limited domains—sea gods ruled oceans, mountain gods ruled heights, underworld gods ruled death. Israel's radical monotheism declared Yahweh sovereign everywhere. This psalm may reflect David's experiences as fugitive when God's presence sustained him in wilderness, caves, and enemy territory. The New Testament confirms that in Christ, God's presence is promised never to leave us (Hebrews 13:5).
Questions for Reflection
- Is God's inescapable presence more comforting or convicting to you right now, and why?
- How does recognizing that you cannot flee from God's presence affect your response to sin, suffering, or seeking Him?
Analysis & Commentary
These rhetorical questions assert God's omnipresence—His presence fills all space, leaving nowhere beyond His reach. "Whither shall I go" (אָנָה אֵלֵךְ/'anah 'elekh) asks where could I possibly walk. "From thy spirit" (מֵרוּחֲךָ/me-ruchakha) can mean "from your Spirit" or "from your presence"—the two are inseparable. "Flee from thy presence" (מִפָּנֶיךָ אֶבְרָח/mipanekha 'evrach) uses the word for running away, escaping—yet God's presence is inescapable. Verses 8-12 elaborate: heaven, Sheol, sea's far side, darkness itself—God is there. This isn't threatening but comforting—we're never beyond God's care, never isolated, never abandoned. It also means we're never beyond accountability—sin cannot be hidden.