Psalms 139:7

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 139:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
Psalms 139:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 139

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? etc.] Or, “from thy wind?” which some interpret literally, the wind being God’s creature; which he brings out of his treasures, and holds in his fists, and disposes of as he pleases; this takes its circuit through all the points of the heavens, and blows everywhere, more or less. Rather God himself is meant, who is a Spirit, (<430424>John 4:24) not a body, or consisting of corporeal parts, which are only ascribed to him in a figurative sense; and who has something analogous to spirit, being simple and uncompounded, invisible, incorruptible, immaterial, and immortal; but is different from all other spirits, being uncreated, eternal, infinite, and immense;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? - Where shall I go where thy spirit is not; that is, where thou art not; where there is no God. The word “spirit” here does not refer particularly to the Holy Spirit, but to God “as” a spirit. “Whither shall I go from the all-pervading Spirit - from God, considered as a spirit?” This is a clear statement that God is a “Spirit” (compare John 4:24); and that, as a spirit, he is Omnipresent. Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? - Hebrew, From his face; that is, where he will not be, and will not see me. I cannot find a place - a spot in the universe, where there is not a God, and the same God. Fearful thought to those that hate him - that, much as they…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“139:7-12 The psalmist expresses his awe at the Lord’s omnipresence.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jer 23:23, Jer 23:24; Jon 1:3, Jon 1:10; Act 5:9 Psalms 139:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification