TRV
- English
- King James KJV
- Complete Jewish CJB
- World English WEBM
- Berean Standard BSB
- American Standard ASV
- Geneva GNV
- Young's Literal YLT
- Douay-Rheims DRC
- International
- Shqip ALB
- العربية SVD
- বাংলা BN-IRV
- မြန်မာ Judson
- 简体文 CUV-S
- 繁體中文 CUV-T
- Čeština BKR
- Nederlands STVE
- Français LSG
- Deutsch SCH
- Ελληνικά Vamvas
- ગુજરાતી GU-IRV
- Hausa HCB
- עברית Hebrew
- हिन्दी HCV
- Magyar KAROLI
- Bahasa Indonesia INDO-TB
- Italiano Diodati
- 日本語 Kougo
- 한국어 Korean
- മലയാളം MAL
- मराठी MRCV
- Norsk DNB
- فارسی OPV
- Polski BG
- Português Almeida
- Română Cornilescu
- Русский Synodal
- Español RVG
- Kiswahili Neno
- Svenska SV1917
- Tagalog TAG-ADB
- தமிழ் TCV
- తెలుగు TSA
- ภาษาไทย THAI-KJV
- Українська Ohienko
- Tiếng Việt CADMAN
- Yorùbá YCB
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 139:7–16. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
It is of great use to us to know the certainty of the things wherein we have been instructed, that we may not only believe them, but be able to tell why we believe them, and to give a reason of the hope that is in us. David is sure that God perfectly knows him and all his ways,
I.Because he is always under his eye.
If God is omnipresent, he must needs be omniscient; but he is omnipresent; this supposes the infinite and immensity of his being, from which follows the ubiquity of his presence; heaven and earth include the whole creation, and the Creator fills both (Jer 23:24); he not only knows both, and governs both, but he fills both. Every part of the creation is under God's intuition and influence. David here acknowledges this also with application and sees himself thus open before God.
1.No flight can remove us out of God's presence: "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit, from thy presence, that is, from thy spiritual presence, from thyself, who art a Spirit?" God is a Spirit, and therefore it is folly to think that because we cannot see him he cannot see us: Whither shall I flee from thy presence? Not that he desired to go away from God; no, he desired nothing more than to be near him; but he only puts the case, "Suppose I should be so foolish as to think of getting out of thy sight, that I might shake off the awe of thee, suppose I should think of revolting from my obedience to thee, or of disowning a dependence on thee and of shifting for myself, alas! whither can I go?" A heathen could say, Quocunque te flexeris, ibi Deum videbis occurrentem tibi - Whithersoever thou turnest thyself, thou wilt see God meeting thee. Seneca. He specifies the most remote and distant places, and counts upon meeting God in them.
(1.)In heaven: "If I ascend thither, as I hope to do shortly, thou art there, and it will be my eternal bliss to be with thee there." Heaven is a vast large place, replenished with an innumerable company, and yet there is no escaping God's eye there, in any corner, or in any crowd. The inhabitants of that world have as necessary a dependence upon God, and lie as open to his strict scrutiny, as the inhabitants of this.
(2.)In hell - in Sheol, which may be understood of the depth of the earth, the very centre of it. Should we dig as deep as we can under ground, and think to hide ourselves there, we should be mistaken; God knows that path which the vulture's eye never saw, and to him the earth is all surface. Or it may be understood of the state of the dead. When we are removed out of the sight of all living, yet not out of the sight of the living God; from his eye we cannot hide ourselves in the grave. Or it maybe understood of the place of the damned: If I make my bed in hell (an uncomfortable place to make a bed in, where there is no rest day or night, yet thousands will make their bed for ever in those flames), behold, thou art there, in thy power and justice. God's wrath is the fire which will there burn everlastingly, Rev 14:10.
(3.)In the remotest corners of this world: "If I take the wings of the morning, the rays of the morning-light (called the wings of the sun, Mal 4:2), than which nothing more swift, and flee upon them to the uttermost parts of the sea, or of the earth (Job 38:12, Job 38:13), should I flee to the most distant and obscure islands (the ultima Thule, the Terra incognita), I should find thee there; there shall thy hand lead me, as far as I go, and thy right hand hold me, that I can go no further, that I cannot go out of thy reach." God soon arrested Jonah when he fled to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
2.No veil can hide us from God's eye, no, not that of the thickest darkness, Psa 139:11, Psa 139:12. "If I say, Yet the darkness shall cover me, when nothing else will, alas! I find myself deceived; the curtains of the evening will stand me in no more stead than the wings of the morning; even the night shall be light about me. That which often favours the escape of a pursued criminal, and the retreat of a beaten army, will do me no kindness in fleeing from them." When God divided between the light and darkness it was with a reservation of this prerogative, that to himself the darkness and the light should still be both alike. "The darkness darkeneth not from thee, for there is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." No hypocritical mask or disguise, how specious soever, can save any person or action from appearing in a true light before God. Secret haunts of sin are as open before God as the most open and barefaced villanies.
II.Because he is the work of his hands.
He that framed the engine knows all the motions of it. God made us, and therefore no doubt he knows us; he saw us when we were in the forming, and can we be hidden from him now that we are formed? This argument he insists upon (Psa 139:13-16): "Thou hast possessed my reins; thou art Master of my most secret thoughts and intentions, and the innermost recesses of my soul; thou not only knowest, but governest, them, as we do that which we have possession of; and the possession thou hast of my reins is a rightful possession, for thou coveredst me in my mother's womb, that is, thou madest me (Job 10:11), thou madest me in secret. The soul is concealed form all about us. Who knows the things of a man, save the spirit of a man?" Co1 2:11. Hence we read of the hidden man of the heart. But it was God himself that thus covered us, and therefore he can, when he pleases, discover us; when he hid us from all the world he did not intend to hide us from himself. Concerning the formation of man, of each of us,
1.The glory of it is here given to God, entirely to him; for it is he that has made us and not we ourselves. "I will praise thee, the author of my being; my parents were only the instruments of it." It was done,
(1.)Under the divine inspection: My substance, when hid in the womb, nay, when it was yet but in fieri - in the forming, an unshapen embryo, was not hidden from thee; thy eyes did see my substance.
(2.)By the divine operation. As the eye of God saw us then, so his hand wrought us; we were his work.
(3.)According to the divine model: In thy book all my members were written. Eternal wisdom formed the plan, and by that almighty power raised the noble structure.
2.Glorious things are here said concerning it. The generation of man is to be considered with the same pious veneration as his creation at first. Consider it,
(1.)As a great marvel, a great miracle we might call it, but that it is done in the ordinary course of nature. We are fearfully and wonderfully made; we may justly be astonished at the admirable contrivance of these living temples, the composition of every part, and the harmony of all together.
(2.)As a great mystery, a mystery of nature: My soul knows right well that it is marvellous, but how to describe it for any one else I know not; for I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the womb as in the lowest parts of the earth, so privately, and so far out of sight.
(3.)As a great mercy, that all our members in continuance were fashioned, according as they were written in the book of God's wise counsel, when as yet there was none of them; or, as some read it, and none of them was left out. If any of our members had been wanting in God's book, they would have been wanting in our bodies, but, through his goodness, we have all our limbs and sense, the want of any of which might have made us burdens to ourselves. See what reason we have then to praise God for our creation, and to conclude that he who saw our substance when it was unfashioned sees it now that it is fashioned.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
"For darkness shall not be darkened by You" [Psalm 139:12]. Do not thou then darken your darkness; God darkens it not, but enlightens it yet more; for to Him is said in another Psalm, "You, Lord, shall light my candle: my God shall enlighten my darkness." But who are they who "darken their darkness," which God darkens not? Evil men, perverse men; when they sin, verily they are darkness; when they confess not their sins which they have committed but go on to defend them, they "darken their darkness." Wherefore now if you have sinned you are in darkness, but by confessing your darkness you shall obtain to have your darkness lightened; by defending your darkness, you shall "darken your darkness." And where will you escape from double darkness, who wast in difficulty in single darkness?...Let us not "darken our darkness" by defending our sins, and "the night shall be light in our delight."
Likewise we Christians who are Christ’s servants should truly stand valiantly in wakefulness like “good and faithful servants” who are eager to do honor to their master. Let us gird ourselves in asceticism, inwardly strengthened by austerity, having the lamps of our hearts filled with the oil of grace from the Spirit and illumined by prayer; in this way we shall valiantly do battle with the powerful incitement provided by the sweetness of sleep. In this way “the dark will be light for us,” just as the prophet said, “and night will be illumined by our faces”: the darkness will not make our minds dark, so let us spend the dark night awake as if it were bright daylight.
Continue studying Psalms 139:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Psalms 139:12 powerfully declares God's absolute omniscience and omnipresence, asserting that no form of darkness—whether literal night or metaphorical obscurity, secrecy, or distress—can ever conceal anything from His divine perception. The psalmist marvels at the Creator's intimate knowledge, emphasizing that what appears as impenetrable 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 profoundly underscores the absolute transparency of all creation to the Almighty, celebrating His boundless and unhindered awareness.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 139 is a profound and deeply personal meditation, widely attributed to David, celebrated for its eloquent exploration of God's infinite attributes: omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. The psalm initiates with a detailed affirmation of God's exhaustive knowledge of the individual (vv. 1-6), meticulously describing how He discerns every thought, word, and path before they even come to fruition. This profound insight transitions seamlessly into the theme of God's inescapable presence in verses 7-11, where the psalmist poses rhetorical questions, contemplating the futility of attempting to flee from God's Spirit or presence. The conclusion is unequivocal: no location—neither the highest heavens, the deepest parts of the sea, nor the uttermost ends of the earth—can offer refuge from His gaze. Verse 12 serves as a pivotal capstone to this section, specifically addressing the notion that even the absence of light, such as darkness or night, offers no concealment from God's all-seeing eye. It logically extends the theme of God's inescapable presence by confirming that temporal and circumstantial conditions, like night, pose no barriers for the Almighty, reinforcing the profound truth that "the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]."
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient world, darkness was universally perceived as a realm of concealment, danger, and mystery. Lacking advanced artificial lighting, the night profoundly cloaked the world in obscurity, making travel treacherous and providing cover for illicit activities. This inherent human experience of darkness as a barrier to sight forms the crucial backdrop against which the psalmist's declaration in Psalms 139:12 gains its immense power and awe-inspiring significance. The concept that even the deepest, most impenetrable night is as clear as day to God would have been a radical and deeply spiritual insight for the original audience. It directly challenged the common human assumption that darkness provided a sanctuary from observation, thereby highlighting God's transcendence over all created limitations, including the very physical properties of light and shadow. This understanding elevates God's perception far beyond any human or natural constraint, emphasizing His unique and unparalleled divine nature.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 139 and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it champions God's Omnipresence and Omniscience, asserting that God is not confined by physical space or the absence of light; His presence fills all things, and His knowledge penetrates every corner of existence. 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. Secondly, it establishes the principle of Divine Transparency, meaning that for God, there is no distinction between light and darkness in terms of visibility or comprehensibility. 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 powerfully echoed in Hebrews 4:13. Finally, it reinforces the theme of No Hiding Place, utterly 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 and divine oversight.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from the root H2821 (châshak), meaning "to be dark," this noun 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 primarily emphasizes the physical condition of night and the metaphorical state of hiddenness or obscurity, which is utterly transparent to God.
This is a primitive root verb meaning "to be luminous" or, in the causative, "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 and discernible as the brightest day.
From an unused root meaning "to be hot," this term primarily denotes a literal day (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next). It can also figuratively represent a defined space of time, an age, or a specific period. In this context, "day" signifies a time of clear visibility, full illumination, and active engagement, serving as the ultimate human standard of clarity against which God's perception of darkness is measured and surpassed.
Verse Breakdown
"Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee"
This opening clause directly and emphatically asserts God's unhindered vision and perception. The psalmist declares that even the deepest "darkness"—referring to both literal night and any metaphorical state of obscurity, secrecy, or distress—cannot conceal anything from God's penetrating gaze. There is no corner of existence, no hidden thought or deed, that falls outside of His divine and comprehensive perception.
"but the night shineth as the day"
This is a profound and striking simile that vividly illustrates God's unique and transcendent nature. For human beings, night is inherently characterized by a lack of light and impaired vision, a time of limited perception. 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, discernible, and transparent to Him as the brightest, most visible daylight. God does not require external light to see; His own essence is light, and He perceives all things inherently and perfectly.
"the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee]"
This concluding statement summarizes the profound theological truth conveyed throughout the verse. It explicitly states that there is no distinction or difference in visibility, clarity, or comprehensibility for God between conditions of "darkness" and "light." Both are equally transparent, fully known, and perfectly perceived by Him. This underscores His absolute omniscience and omnipresence, demonstrating that He transcends all created limitations and human categories of perception.
Literary Devices
Psalms 139:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message about God's nature. 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 transcendent nature, which utterly transcends human limitations and physical realities. Furthermore, there is an element of Anthropomorphism in attributing "seeing" to God, though it is understood metaphorically to represent His comprehensive knowledge, awareness, and perfect understanding rather than literal physical sight. The overall effect is one of profound awe and worship before a God whose understanding and presence are utterly boundless and unhindered.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 139:12 stands as 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, absolute holiness, and perfect knowledge, incapable of being obscured, deceived, or limited. This divine transparency has profound implications for both human accountability and spiritual comfort. It assures the righteous that their hidden struggles, silent prayers, and unseen acts of devotion are fully perceived and intimately known by a God who is 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, fostering a profound awareness that God's eye is always upon us.
Reflection and Application
The profound truth embedded in Psalms 139:12 offers both immense comfort and a sobering call to integrity in our daily lives. For the believer, it is a deep wellspring of assurance: in moments of profound loneliness, despair, or when feeling utterly unseen or forgotten by the world, this verse serves as a powerful reminder 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, trust, and intimacy in His unfailing care and unwavering presence. 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, righteousness, and transparency, not merely when we are in public view but profoundly in the privacy of our hearts and homes. It challenges us to align our entire being with His righteous will, cultivating a life of integrity, knowing that our Creator sees all and knows all.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Psalms 139:12 imply that God is literally "seeing" in the dark, or is it metaphorical?
While the language uses vivid terms like "hideth not" and "shineth," it is primarily a profound 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 perfect 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, fully known, and perfectly discernible to God. It speaks to His inherent, boundless ability to perceive all reality, rather than 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.
If God sees everything, even in darkness, does that mean He knows my secret sins and thoughts?
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) and is intimately acquainted with all his ways (Psalms 139:3). This verse specifically adds that even darkness provides no hiding place from His divine gaze. This truth serves as a powerful reminder of divine accountability, encouraging believers to live transparently and to repent of hidden sins, knowing that nothing is truly concealed from God (Hebrews 4:13).
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 the person and work of 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 and John 8:12). 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 "knew what was in man" (John 2:25), seeing beyond outward appearances to the deepest intentions and hidden motives of the heart, whether concealed in the "darkness" of deceit or illuminated by truth. His earthly ministry exposed the hidden works of darkness (John 3:19-21) and brought comfort and salvation 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, redemptive, and intimately accessible. He is the ever-present Shepherd who sees His sheep even in the "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalms 23:4), offering profound comfort and unfailing guidance because no darkness can obscure His loving gaze or diminish His power to save and redeem.