Psalms 139:12

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

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.

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

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

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

Psalms 139:12 declares the profound truth of God's all-seeing and ever-present nature, emphasizing that no part of creation, no matter how obscure or hidden, is beyond His divine perception. This verse is a powerful continuation of the psalmist's meditation on the Creator's intimate knowledge of His creation, particularly humanity.

Context

Psalm 139 is a deeply personal psalm attributed to David, renowned for its eloquent praise of God's omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. The preceding verses (Psalms 139:7-11) establish that there is no place one can flee from God's Spirit or presence, whether to the heavens, the depths of the sea, or the uttermost parts of the earth. Verse 12 specifically addresses the idea that even the absence of light—darkness or night—offers no concealment from God's gaze. It builds upon the theme of God's inescapable presence, confirming that time and circumstance also hold no barriers for the Almighty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Omnipresence and Omniscience: The core message is 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. This concept is beautifully articulated throughout the psalm, even in God knowing our thoughts afar off.
  • Divine Transparency: 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 states, "the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]," underscoring that all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
  • No Hiding Place: This verse eliminates 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.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "darkness" is choshek (חֹשֶׁךְ), which literally means darkness, obscurity, or gloom. It can also metaphorically represent secrecy, distress, or evil. The phrase "the night shineth as the day" powerfully conveys that God's perception is not hindered by the lack of light. He doesn't need external illumination; His own nature is light. This is echoed in the New Testament where God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.

Practical Application

For believers, the truth of Psalms 139:12 can be a source of immense comfort and encouragement. In times of trouble, loneliness, or when feeling unseen by the world, it assures us that God is always present and aware of our circumstances, even in our deepest "darkness." This provides a powerful reminder that God fills heaven and earth. Conversely, this verse serves as a sober reminder for everyone of God's constant awareness of our actions and intentions. It promotes integrity, encouraging us to live transparently and righteously, knowing that nothing we do is truly hidden from our Creator. It underscores accountability and the importance of aligning our lives with His will, not just in public, but in our private moments as well.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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