Psalms 139:9
Psalms 139:9 in Multiple Translations
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
If I take the wings of the morning, and go to the farthest parts of the sea;
If I were to fly away on wings of the dawn to the east; if I were to live on the far western shore of the sea,
Let mee take the winges of the morning, and dwell in the vttermost parts of the sea:
I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,
If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
If I had wings and flew very far east [MTY], or if I flew west and made a place to live on an island in the ocean,
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 139:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 139:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶשָּׂ֥א
כַנְפֵי
שָׁ֑חַר
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה
בְּ/אַחֲרִ֥ית
יָֽם
אֶשָּׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
כַנְפֵי
kânâph
H3671
wing
N-fd
שָׁ֑חַר
shachar
H7837
dawn
N-ms
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה
shâkan
H7931
to dwell
V-Qal-1cs
בְּ/אַחֲרִ֥ית
ʼachărîyth
H319
end
Prep | N-fs
יָֽם
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 139:9
אֶשָּׂ֥א
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
כַנְפֵי
kânâph
H3671
"wing"
N-fd
The Hebrew word for wing, used to describe the edge or extremity of something, like a bird's wing or the corner of a garment. It appears in the Bible to describe various objects and locations, including the wing of a bird.
Definition: 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt 1a) wing 1b) extremity 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed). See also: Genesis 1:21; Psalms 139:9; Psalms 17:8.
שָׁ֑חַר
shachar
H7837
"dawn"
N-ms
Dawn, or the beginning of a new day, is described in the Bible as a time of new light and hope. It first appears in Genesis 1:5, describing the first day of creation. This concept is also used figuratively to describe a new beginning.
Definition: 1) dawn 1a) dawn 1b) at dawn (as adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence riseth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Psalms 108:3; Psalms 22:1.
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה
shâkan
H7931
"to dwell"
V-Qal-1cs
This Hebrew word means to live or stay in a place, like when God dwells among his people. It appears in books like Exodus and Psalms, describing God's presence. It's about making a home or resting place.
Definition: 1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to settle down to abide 1a2) to abide, dwell, reside 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make settle down, establish 1b2) to make or cause to dwell 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix 1c2) to cause to dwell or abide Aramaic equivalent: she.khan (שְׁכֵן "to dwell" H7932)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up). See also: Genesis 3:24; Psalms 55:7; Psalms 7:6.
בְּ/אַחֲרִ֥ית
ʼachărîyth
H319
"end"
Prep | N-fs
End refers to the last or final part of something, including time or events. It can also mean the future or what comes after. In the Bible, it is often used to describe the latter time or posterity.
Definition: 1) after part, end 1a) end, issue, event 1b) latter time (prophetic for future time) 1c) posterity 1d) last, hindermost Aramaic equivalent: a.cha.rit (אַחֲרִית "latter" H0320)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward. See also: Genesis 49:1; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Psalms 37:37.
יָֽם
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 139:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 139:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 139:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 139:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 139:9
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 139:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
- Sermons on Psalms 139:9
Context — You Have Searched Me and Known Me
7Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?
8If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,
10even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast. 11If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”—Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 19:6 | it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. |
| 2 | Psalms 74:16–17 | The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun. You set all the boundaries of the earth; You made the summer and winter. |
| 3 | Malachi 4:2 | “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall. |
| 4 | Psalms 18:10 | He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. |
| 5 | Isaiah 24:14–16 | They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they proclaim the majesty of the LORD. Therefore glorify the LORD in the east. Extol the name of the LORD, the God of Israel in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” But I said, “I am wasting away! I am wasting away! Woe is me.” The treacherous betray; the treacherous deal in treachery. |
Psalms 139:9 Summary
This verse, Psalms 139:9, is saying that no matter where we go, God is always with us. The psalmist is using beautiful language to describe traveling to the farthest reaches of the earth, but the point is that God's presence is everywhere, and we can't escape it, as also seen in Proverbs 15:3. This is a comforting truth, because it means that we are never alone, and that God is always guiding us, as seen in Romans 8:28. We can rest in the knowledge that God's hand will guide us, and His right hand will hold us fast, no matter where we are or what we are doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to rise on the wings of the dawn?
This phrase is a poetic way of describing the act of traveling to the east, to the place where the dawn rises, emphasizing the idea of going to the farthest reaches of the earth, as seen in Psalms 139:9, and is reminiscent of God's omnipresence as described in Jeremiah 23:24 and Psalms 138:8.
Why does the psalmist mention settling by the farthest sea?
The psalmist is using this phrase to convey the idea of going to the most distant and remote places on earth, emphasizing God's omnipresence, as also seen in Isaiah 66:1, where God says that even the heavens and the earth cannot contain Him.
Is the psalmist trying to escape from God's presence?
No, the psalmist is not trying to escape from God, but rather is acknowledging God's omnipresence and all-knowing nature, as stated in Psalms 139:7 and Jeremiah 29:13, where God says that those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
What is the significance of this verse in the context of the whole chapter?
This verse is part of a larger passage, Psalms 139:7-12, where the psalmist is expressing his awe and wonder at God's omnipresence and omniscience, and is declaring that no matter where he goes, God is always with him, as also seen in Matthew 28:20, where Jesus says that He will be with His disciples always, even to the end of the age.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I try to 'rise on the wings of the dawn' or 'settle by the farthest sea' in my own life, and how can I apply the truth of God's omnipresence to those areas?
- How does the knowledge of God's omnipresence impact my daily decisions and actions, and what are some ways in which I can cultivate a deeper sense of His presence in my life?
- In what ways do I sometimes try to 'escape' from God's presence, and how can I instead learn to rest in the knowledge of His constant companionship, as seen in Hebrews 13:5?
- What are some practical ways in which I can 'settle' in God's presence, and allow His right hand to guide me, as mentioned in Psalms 139:10?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 139:9
[If] I take the wings of the morning,.... And fly as swift as the morning light to the east, to the extremity of it, as Ben Melech; as far as he could go that way, as swiftly as the wings of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 139:9
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea - a poetic phrase to express the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
If I should flee as swiftly from try presence as the morning light doth, which in an instant scattereth itself from east to west; for the sea being the western border of Canaan, is oft put for the west in Scripture. And wings are poetically ascribed to the morning or morning light here, as they are elsewhere to the sun, as , and to the winds, as 104:3, and to other things of eminent swiftness.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
Psalms 139:9 [If] I take the wings of the morning, [and] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;Ver. 9. If I take the wings of the morning] The morning light is diffused in an instant all the whole welkin over. If I could fly never so swiftly from one end of the heaven to the other, saith David, I should be never the nearer. This is a poetic expression. And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea] Or of the west, whither the sun, setting, is said to hasten and hide himself. The Syriac and Arabic have it, If I take the wings of the eagle and dwell, &c. And of the eagle they write, that when she would change her feathers she falleth down into the sea.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
(9) If . . .—Literally, I lift wings of dawn I dwell in the end of the sea. The wings of the morning.—This exquisite image suggesting not only the pinions of cloud that seem often to lift the dawn into the sky, but also the swift sailing of the light across the world, may be compared to the “wings of the sun” in Malachi 4:2, and the “wings of the wind” in Psalms 18:10. The uttermost parts of the sea—i.e., to a Hebrew the extreme west. The poet imagines himself darting from east to farthest west, with the rapidity of light.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 139:9
9. If I should lift up the wings of the dawn &c.] If I were to fly with the swiftness of light from the east to the furthest west. The dawn swiftly spreading over the sky, is naturally represented as winged. Cp. ‘wings of the wind,’ Psalms 18:10, ‘wings of the sun,’ Malachi 4:2. The sea, from the position of the Mediterranean to the west of Palestine, denotes the West.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 139:9
If I take the wings of the morning - literally, “I will take the wings of the morning.” That is, I will take this as a supposable case; I will imagine what would occur, should I be able to take to
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 139:9
9. Wings of the morning—Wings of the dawn are swift wings, like the early light, which spreads swiftly.
Sermons on Psalms 139:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Conscience Void of Offence by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the authority of Jesus and his ability to demand a wholehearted surrender from believers. He uses the example of Jesus driving out the mone |
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The Everlasting Arms by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the comforting promise that 'the eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms,' illustrating how God's promises are timeless and appli |
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The Eagle and Her Young by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about God's tender care and guidance over His people, using the analogy of an eagle caring for her young. He emphasizes how God finds His people in a spiritua |
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We Are Not Orphans by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes that Christian believers are not orphans, as they are guided by the divine Shepherd who leads them on a purposeful journey. He addresses a reader's inquiry ab |
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Israel's Need - and God's Mercy by James Smith | James Smith preaches about the journey of life from this fleeting world to the eternal world, drawing parallels between the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the promised land and |
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Yosemite Bible Conference 1991-14 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker marvels at the wonders of the human body and the intricate design of the world we live in. He highlights the miracle of sight and hearing, emphasizing t |
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(1 Peter - Part 8): Whom Having Not Seen, Ye Love by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the revelation of God's glory through the creation of all things. He refers to the vision described in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet |