Psalms 139:12

Authorized King James Version

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Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

Original Language Analysis

גַּם H1571
גַּם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 1 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
חֹשֶׁךְ֮ Yea the darkness H2822
חֹשֶׁךְ֮ Yea the darkness
Strong's: H2822
Word #: 2 of 10
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ hideth H2821
יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ hideth
Strong's: H2821
Word #: 4 of 10
to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken
מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ H4480
מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְ֭לַיְלָה not from thee but the night H3915
וְ֭לַיְלָה not from thee but the night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 6 of 10
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
כַּיּ֣וֹם as the day H3117
כַּיּ֣וֹם as the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 7 of 10
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יָאִ֑יר shineth H215
יָאִ֑יר shineth
Strong's: H215
Word #: 8 of 10
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה the darkness H2825
כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה the darkness
Strong's: H2825
Word #: 9 of 10
darkness; figuratively, misery
כָּאוֹרָֽה׃ and the light H219
כָּאוֹרָֽה׃ and the light
Strong's: H219
Word #: 10 of 10
luminousness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity; also a plant (as being bright)

Analysis & Commentary

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee—The emphatic yea (גַּם, gam) concludes the thought from v. 11. Hideth not (lo-yachshik, לֹא־יַחְשִׁיךְ)—darkness cannot darken things from God. Night shines (ya'ir, יָאִיר) as day—to divine perception, no difference exists. The final phrase darkness and light are both alike (ka-choshekah ka-orah, כַּחֲשֵׁיכָה כָאוֹרָה) uses ka (כַּ, 'as, like') twice—equal, equivalent, identical to God.

This obliterates our categories of concealment. God doesn't have night vision; He has perfect vision unaffected by ambient light levels. To Him who is light (1 John 1:5), all things are equally visible. This truth simultaneously comforts (God sees our affliction even in deepest darkness) and convicts (God sees our sin even in deepest secrecy).

Historical Context

Light and darkness were primal categories in Hebrew thought—creation began with God separating light from darkness (Genesis 1:4). Yet the Creator transcends His creation; the distinction that organizes our reality doesn't limit His perception. This verse presents God as utterly beyond creaturely limitations.

Questions for Reflection