Psalms 139:9
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Original Language Analysis
אֶשָּׂ֥א
If I take
H5375
אֶשָּׂ֥א
If I take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 6
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כַנְפֵי
the wings
H3671
כַנְפֵי
the wings
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
2 of 6
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה
and dwell
H7931
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה
and dwell
Strong's:
H7931
Word #:
4 of 6
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
For ancient Israelites landlocked in Judea, the sea (especially the westward Mediterranean) represented the edge of the known world—mysterious, dangerous, and distant. Dawn's eastward light racing to the western sea encompasses the entire known world, from boundary to boundary.
Questions for Reflection
- What are you running from—and how fast—believing you can outpace God's presence in your life?
- Like Jonah fleeing to the 'uttermost parts of the sea,' have you tried geographical escape from God's calling or conviction?
- How does the speed of 'morning's wings' illustrate that no matter how fast you run toward or away from something, God is already there?
Analysis & Commentary
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea—Wings of the morning (kanfei-shachar, כַּנְפֵי־שָׁחַר) evokes the swift, eastward-spreading dawn light—the fastest natural phenomenon known to the ancient world. To ride dawn's light from east to the furthest west (uttermost parts of the sea = westernmost Mediterranean) represents maximum speed and distance. David imagines impossible escape velocity.
Even if we could travel at the speed of light itself, racing the dawn across the planet, we couldn't outrun God. This isn't threatening pursuit but reassuring presence. Jonah tried fleeing west by sea (Jonah 1:3); he discovered the truth of this verse. Geography cannot distance us from God.