Psalms 139:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, the darkness {H2822} hideth {H2821} not from thee; but the night {H3915} shineth {H215} as the day {H3117}: the darkness {H2825} and the light {H219} are both alike to thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

even darkness like this is not too dark for you; rather, night is as clear as day, darkness and light are the same.

Berean Standard Bible

even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.

American Standard Version

Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both aliketo thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 139:12 profoundly declares God's unhindered perception and omnipresent nature, asserting that neither literal darkness nor metaphorical obscurity can conceal anything from His divine gaze. The psalmist marvels at the Creator's intimate knowledge, emphasizing that what appears as night to humanity shines as brightly as day in God's eternal light, rendering all conditions—whether light or darkness—equally transparent before Him. This verse underscores the absolute transparency of all creation to the Almighty, celebrating His boundless omniscience and omnipresence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 139 is a deeply personal and theological meditation attributed to David, renowned for its eloquent praise of God's omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. The psalm begins with an affirmation of God's exhaustive knowledge of the individual (vv. 1-6), detailing how He knows every thought, word, and path. This leads directly into the theme of God's inescapable presence in verses 7-11, where the psalmist poses rhetorical questions about fleeing from God's Spirit or presence, concluding that no place—neither the heavens, the depths of the sea, nor the uttermost parts of the earth—can offer escape. Verse 12 serves as a powerful capstone to this section, specifically addressing the idea that even the absence of light—darkness or night—offers no concealment from God's gaze. It logically extends the theme of God's inescapable presence by confirming that even temporal and circumstantial conditions, like night, hold no barriers for the Almighty, reinforcing the profound truth that "the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient times, darkness was universally understood as a state of concealment, danger, and mystery. Without artificial lighting beyond simple lamps or fires, the night truly cloaked the world in profound obscurity, making travel perilous and illicit activities easier to hide. This natural human experience of darkness as a barrier to sight forms the backdrop against which the psalmist's declaration gains its power. The concept that even the deepest, most impenetrable night is as clear as day to God would have been a radical and awe-inspiring thought. It challenged the common human assumption that darkness provided a refuge from observation, highlighting God's transcendence over all created limitations, including the very physical properties of light and shadow. This understanding elevates God's perception beyond any human or natural constraint, emphasizing His unique divine nature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 139 and biblical theology. Firstly, it champions **God's Omnipresence and Omniscience**, asserting that God is not limited by physical space or the absence of light; His presence fills all things, and His knowledge penetrates every corner. He sees and knows everything, everywhere, at all times, a truth beautifully articulated throughout the psalm, as seen in God knowing our thoughts afar off in [Psalms 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalms 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts"). Secondly, it establishes **Divine Transparency**, meaning that for God, there is no distinction between light and darkness in terms of visibility. What is hidden from human eyes in the deepest night is as clear as day to Him. The verse underscores that all things are "naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do," a concept echoed in [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God"). Finally, it reinforces the theme of **No Hiding Place**, eliminating any notion that one can escape God's notice by operating under the cloak of night or in secret places. Whether for good or ill, every action, thought, and intention is fully visible to God, promoting a profound sense of accountability.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** (H2822) Derived from a root meaning "to be dark," this word literally refers to the absence of light, obscurity, or gloom. Figuratively, it encompasses concepts of misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, and wickedness. In this verse, it emphasizes the physical condition of night and the metaphorical state of hiddenness or obscurity, which is utterly transparent to God.
* **shineth (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** (H215) This is a primitive root meaning "to be luminous" or "to make luminous," both literally and metaphorically. It implies the act of radiating light, becoming glorious, or being enlightened. Here, it is used to describe God's perception, indicating that even the night is illuminated by His inherent nature, making it as clear as day.
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** (H3117) From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this term primarily denotes a literal day (from sunrise to sunset, or one sunset to the next). It can also figuratively represent a defined space of time, an age, or a period. In this context, "day" signifies a time of clear visibility and activity, serving as the ultimate standard of clarity against which God's perception of darkness is measured.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee":** This opening clause directly asserts God's unhindered vision. The psalmist emphasizes that even the deepest "darkness" (referring to literal night or metaphorical obscurity, secrecy, or trouble) cannot conceal anything from God. There is no corner of existence, no hidden thought or deed, that falls outside of His divine perception.
* **"but the night shineth as the day":** This is a powerful simile that vividly illustrates God's unique nature. For human beings, night is characterized by a lack of light and impaired vision. However, for God, the "night" (the period of darkness) is not an impediment; rather, it "shineth as the day," meaning it is as fully illuminated and discernible to Him as the brightest daylight. God does not require external light to see; His own essence is light, and He perceives all things inherently.
* **"the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]":** This concluding statement summarizes the profound theological truth. It explicitly states that there is no distinction or difference in visibility for God between conditions of "darkness" and "light." Both are equally transparent and fully known to Him. This underscores His absolute omniscience and omnipresence, transcending all created limitations and categories of perception.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound message. Most notably, it uses **Antithetical Parallelism**, contrasting "darkness" and "night" with "light" and "day" to emphasize that these human distinctions hold no sway over God's perception. The phrase "the night shineth as the day" is a striking **Simile**, comparing God's perception of night to human perception of day, thereby illustrating the absolute clarity with which God sees all things. This simile also functions as a **Paradox** from a human perspective, as night by definition is dark. The resolution of this paradox lies in God's nature, which transcends human limitations. Furthermore, there's an element of **Anthropomorphism** in attributing "seeing" to God, though it's understood metaphorically to represent His comprehensive knowledge and awareness rather than literal sight. The overall effect is one of awe and worship before a God whose understanding and presence are utterly boundless.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 139:12 is a foundational statement about the very nature of God, revealing Him as the transcendent, all-knowing, and ever-present Creator. It underscores the biblical truth that God is light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all, meaning His character is pure truth, holiness, and perfect knowledge, incapable of being obscured or deceived. This divine transparency has profound implications for human accountability and comfort. It assures the righteous that their hidden struggles and silent prayers are fully seen and heard by a God who is intimately acquainted with all their ways, even in their deepest "darkness." Conversely, it serves as a solemn warning to those who might seek to conceal their actions or intentions, reminding them that no deed, thought, or motive can ever be hidden from the penetrating gaze of the Almighty. This verse reinforces the idea that true integrity is lived not just in public, but in the private moments, knowing that God's eye is always upon us.

* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God")
* [1 John 1:5](/1_john/1-5 "1 John 1:5 - God is Light and in Him is No Darkness")
* [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Psalms 139:12 offers both immense comfort and a sobering call to integrity. For the believer, it is a wellspring of assurance: in moments of profound loneliness, despair, or when feeling utterly unseen by the world, this verse reminds us that God is perpetually present and fully aware of our circumstances, even in our deepest "darkness." He sees our tears, hears our silent cries, and knows the burdens we carry in secret. This fosters a deep sense of security and trust in His unfailing care. Conversely, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of divine accountability. There is no hidden corner of our lives—no secret thought, no whispered word, no clandestine action—that is truly hidden from God. This truth should compel us to live with authenticity and righteousness, not merely in public view but in the privacy of our hearts and homes. It challenges us to align our entire being with His will, fostering a life of integrity, knowing that our Creator sees all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God sees in the darkness impact your sense of security and comfort during difficult or lonely times?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to act as if God doesn't see, and how does this verse challenge those tendencies?**
* **How can embracing God's omnipresence and omniscience, as described here, deepen your commitment to living a life of integrity and transparency?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 139:12 imply that God is literally "seeing" in the dark, or is it metaphorical?**

Answer: While the language uses terms like "hideth not" and "shineth," it's primarily a metaphorical way of expressing God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence. God is not limited by physical light or darkness as humans are. His perception is not dependent on external illumination because His very nature is light and knowledge. Therefore, "the night shineth as the day" means that all things, whether hidden in darkness from human eyes or openly visible in daylight, are equally transparent and known to God. It speaks to His inherent ability to perceive all reality, not a literal act of "seeing" through physical darkness. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character throughout Scripture, as seen in [1 John 1:5](/1_john/1-5 "1 John 1:5 - God is Light").

**If God sees everything, even in darkness, does that mean He knows my secret sins and thoughts?**

Answer: Absolutely. Psalms 139:12, in conjunction with the broader context of Psalms 139, emphatically affirms that God's knowledge is exhaustive and extends to every aspect of human existence, including our innermost thoughts, intentions, and actions, whether performed in public or in secret. The psalmist begins by acknowledging that God knows his thoughts afar off ([Psalms 139:2](/psalms/139-2 "Psalms 139:2 - God Knows Our Thoughts")) and is acquainted with all his ways ([Psalms 139:3](/psalms/139-3 "Psalms 139:3 - God Knows All Our Ways")). This verse specifically adds that even darkness provides no hiding place. This truth serves as a powerful reminder of divine accountability, encouraging believers to live transparently and repent of hidden sins, knowing that nothing is truly concealed from God ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 139:12, with its profound declaration of God's unhindered perception and transcendence over darkness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest revelation in Jesus Christ. He is not merely one who sees in the darkness; He *is* the Light of the world, in whom there is no darkness at all ([John 1:4-5](/john/1-4 "John 1:4-5 - Life and Light") and [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). Just as the psalmist declares that darkness is as light to God, so Christ, as God incarnate, perfectly embodies this divine characteristic. He is the one who "knows what is in man" ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")), seeing beyond outward appearances to the deepest intentions of the heart, whether hidden in the "darkness" of deceit or illuminated by truth. His ministry exposed the hidden works of darkness ([John 3:19-21](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-21 - Light and Darkness in Judgment")) and brought comfort to those walking in spiritual shadows. Ultimately, in Christ, the omnipresence and omniscience of God are not just abstract theological concepts but are made personal and redemptive. He is the ever-present Shepherd who sees His sheep even in the "valley of the shadow of death" ([Psalms 23:4](/psalms/23-4 "Psalms 23:4 - The Valley of the Shadow of Death")), offering comfort and guidance because no darkness can obscure His loving gaze or diminish His power to save.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 2:22

He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Job 34:22

[There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Exodus 20:21

And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was].

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Job 26:6

Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

Exodus 14:20

And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.