Psalms 139:9

KJV

[If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

KJV (with Strong's)

If I take {H5375} the wings {H3671} of the morning {H7837}, and dwell {H7931} in the uttermost parts {H319} of the sea {H3220};

Complete Jewish Bible

If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea,

Berean Standard Bible

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,

American Standard Version

If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 139:9 poetically articulates the psalmist's profound conviction in God's inescapable omnipresence, using vivid imagery of extreme speed and distance. It posits a hypothetical scenario—traveling with the swiftness of dawn to the farthest reaches of the known world—to underscore the absolute futility of attempting to escape the divine presence, ultimately affirming that God's guiding hand is present even in the most remote corners of existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 139:9 is an integral part of a deeply personal and theological meditation on the attributes of God, attributed to King David. The psalm opens with an exploration of God's **omniscience**, detailing His intimate knowledge of the psalmist's thoughts, words, and ways (e.g., [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Intimate Knowledge")). Following this, the focus shifts to God's **omnipresence**, introduced by the rhetorical questions in [Psalm 139:7-8](/psalms/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-8 - Where Can I Flee From Your Spirit?"): "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." Verse 9 continues this theme, providing two more extreme geographical examples—the easternmost and westernmost points of the known world—to further emphasize the boundless nature of God's presence, leading to the triumphant affirmation in [Psalm 139:10](/psalms/139-10 "Psalm 139:10 - God's Hand Will Guide") that even there, God's hand will guide and hold.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For the ancient Israelite, the "wings of the morning" (the rising sun) represented the furthest eastern horizon, while the "uttermost parts of the sea" referred to the western boundary, specifically the vast and often mysterious Mediterranean Sea, which was perceived as the edge of the known world. Travel was slow and arduous, making the concept of traversing such immense distances, especially with the speed of light, a truly hyperbolic thought experiment. The ancient Near Eastern worldview, while aware of other lands, often centered on the land of Israel as a focal point, with the surrounding regions and seas representing the limits of human exploration. The psalmist's imagery taps into this cultural understanding of vastness and remoteness to highlight God's transcendence over all perceived boundaries.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 139 and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **God's Omnipresence**, asserting that no physical or spiritual location can exist outside of His immediate presence. This truth is foundational to understanding God's nature as one who fills "heaven and earth," as declared in [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth"). Secondly, it highlights the **Vastness and Order of Creation**, demonstrating that even the most extreme points of the cosmos are within God's domain and under His watchful eye. The imagery of dawn spreading across the sky and the boundless sea emphasizes the beauty and immense scale of God's handiwork. Finally, it underscores the profound **Human Limitation versus Divine Boundlessness**, contrasting the finite capacity of humanity to escape or comprehend God with His infinite and uncontainable nature, reinforcing His absolute sovereignty and control over all existence, a concept echoed in the cosmic scope of [Isaiah 40:12](/isaiah/40-12 "Isaiah 40:12 - God's Immeasurable Power").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wings (Hebrew, _kânâph'_):** From H3671, meaning 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 pinnacle. In this context, "wings" refers to the swift, expansive movement, particularly of the dawn spreading across the sky. It evokes imagery of speed and far-reaching extent, symbolizing the rapid, unhindered progression of light from east to west.
* **morning (Hebrew, _shachar'_):** From H7837, meaning dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial); day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence riseth. This word specifically denotes the breaking of dawn, the first light appearing on the eastern horizon. When combined with "wings," it forms a powerful poetic metaphor for the speed and ubiquity of the sunrise, representing the fastest possible movement imaginable in the ancient world.
* **uttermost parts (Hebrew, _ʼachărîyth'_):** From H319, meaning the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity; (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward. Here, it signifies the extreme, farthest limit or end. Paired with "sea," it conveys the absolute boundary or most remote region of the known world, emphasizing the ultimate extent of human reach or exploration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I take the wings of the morning,"**: This clause introduces a hypothetical, almost fantastical, scenario. "Taking the wings of the morning" is a vivid metaphor for traveling with the speed and reach of the rising sun. It symbolizes an attempt to escape or move beyond any conceivable earthly boundary by harnessing the swiftest natural phenomenon. The "morning" (dawn) originates in the east and swiftly spreads its light westward, thus representing the easternmost and most rapid movement.
* **"and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;"**: This second clause extends the hypothetical journey to the opposite extreme. The "uttermost parts of the sea" refers to the farthest western horizon, specifically the limits of the Mediterranean Sea, which was considered the boundary of the known world for the Israelites. To "dwell" there implies not just a momentary visit but establishing a presence in this remote, isolated region. Together with the first clause, it completes a merism, encompassing the entire horizontal expanse of creation from east to west, symbolizing every possible direction and distance.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 139:9 is rich with poetic and rhetorical devices that amplify its message of divine omnipresence. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "wings of the morning," which likens the swift, expansive spread of dawn to the wings of a bird, conveying unparalleled speed and reach. This is further enhanced by **Hyperbole**, as the psalmist imagines traveling at a speed and to a distance far beyond human capability, emphasizing the absolute impossibility of escaping God. The two clauses together form a **Merism**, a literary device where two contrasting or extreme parts represent the whole. "Wings of the morning" (the extreme east) and "uttermost parts of the sea" (the extreme west) collectively signify the entirety of the world, from one end to the other. This powerful **Imagery** of light and vast waters creates a sense of awe and wonder, drawing the reader into the psalmist's contemplation of God's boundless nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 139:9 powerfully reinforces the biblical doctrine of God's omnipresence, asserting that there is no place in creation, however remote or inaccessible, where God is not present. This truth is not merely a statement about God's spatial presence but also about His active engagement and sovereign control over all things. It implies that whether one seeks to flee from God's presence in rebellion or to find solace in isolation, He is already there. This omnipresence is intrinsically linked to His omniscience and omnipotence, ensuring that His knowledge and power are equally boundless. For the believer, this offers profound comfort, knowing that God is always near, even in the darkest valleys or most distant journeys of life. For those who might seek to evade His gaze, it serves as a solemn reminder of ultimate accountability before a God who sees and knows all.

* [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked and Open to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 139:9 invites us into a profound contemplation of God's boundless presence, offering both immense comfort and a call to humble reverence. In a world where we often feel alone, lost, or overwhelmed, the truth that we can never escape God's presence is a source of unfailing hope. It means that whether we are experiencing the heights of joy or the depths of despair, whether we are in a bustling city or the quiet of our own thoughts, God is intimately near. This truth should inspire us to live with a constant awareness of His gaze, fostering integrity in our actions and sincerity in our hearts. It challenges any notion that we can hide our struggles, our sins, or our deepest longings from Him. Instead, it encourages us to lean into His omnipresent care, trusting that His hand will guide us and His right hand will hold us, no matter where life's journey takes us. This verse transforms the abstract concept of omnipresence into a deeply personal and practical reality, shaping our worship, our walk, and our witness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "wings of the morning" and "uttermost parts of the sea" deepen your understanding of God's omnipresence?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to feel or act as if you are outside of God's presence?**
* **How does the comfort of God's omnipresence balance with the accountability it implies for your actions and thoughts?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalm 139:9 imply that God is literally everywhere in a physical sense?**

Answer: While the language is poetic and uses spatial terms, Psalm 139:9, along with other biblical passages, teaches God's omnipresence in a comprehensive sense. It means that God is not limited by space or time; His being, power, knowledge, and presence are fully active in every location simultaneously. He is not "spread out" like a gas, but rather, His entire being is present everywhere. This is distinct from pantheism (God is everything) or panentheism (God is in everything). Instead, it means that no part of creation is outside of His immediate awareness, power, and sustaining presence. The verse uses **hyperbole** and **merism** (east to west) to emphasize that there is no place, however remote or seemingly hidden, where one can escape His Spirit or presence, as affirmed in [Jeremiah 23:24](/jeremiah/23-24 "Jeremiah 23:24 - God Fills Heaven and Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 139:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament psalmist marvels at God's cosmic omnipresence, the New Testament reveals this boundless presence intimately embodied in Christ, God-with-us. Jesus, as the incarnate Son, perfectly demonstrated God's omnipresence not by being physically everywhere at once during His earthly ministry, but by being the very **fullness of God** (as stated in [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Through His ascension, Christ's omnipresence is now realized spiritually through the Holy Spirit, whom He sent to indwell believers. The promise of Jesus, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise of Presence")), echoes the psalmist's conviction, assuring His disciples that no matter where they go—to the "wings of the morning" or the "uttermost parts of the sea" in their missionary endeavors—He is with them. Furthermore, Christ's sacrifice on the cross provides the means by which humanity, once alienated, can now truly "dwell" in God's presence without fear of judgment, for He has made a way for us to approach the throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). Thus, the abstract truth of God's inescapable presence becomes a relational reality through Christ, who is not only everywhere but is also the very one who guides and holds us, fulfilling the psalmist's hope in [Psalm 139:10](/psalms/139-10 "Psalm 139:10 - God's Hand Will Guide").

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.