God’s Word Translation
Psalms 139:8
8If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.
Psalms 139:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
- New International Version (NIV)If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
- English Standard Version (ESV)If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
- New King James Version (NKJV)If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
Context of Psalms 139:8
6Such knowledge is beyond my grasp. It is so high I cannot reach it. 7Where can I go ⌞to get away⌟ from your Spirit? Where can I run ⌞to get away⌟ from you? If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there. 9If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun ⌞or⌟ land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets, 10even there your hand would guide me and your right hand would hold on to me.
Read all of Psalms 139Psalms 139:8 word by word
אִם־אֶסַּ֣ק שָׁ֭מַיִם שָׁ֣ם אָ֑תָּה וְאַצִּ֖יעָה שְּׁא֣וֹל הִנֶּֽךָּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 139:8
- Ezekiel 28:12“Son of man, sing a funeral song for the ruler of Tyre. Tell him, ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says: You were the perfect example, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
- Amos 9:2Even if they dig their way into Sheol, my hand will take them from there. Even if they go up to heaven, I will bring them down from there.
- Obadiah 1:4Even though you fly high like an eagle and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” declares the Lord.
- Job 26:6Sheol is naked in God’s presence, and Abaddon has no clothing.
- Job 34:21God’s eyes are on a person’s ways. He sees all his steps.
- Proverbs 15:11If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the Lord how much more the human heart!
- Jonah 2:2Jonah prayed: “I called to the Lord in my distress, and he answered me. From the depths of my ⌞watery⌟ grave I cried for help, and you heard my cry.
Commentaries on Psalms 139:8
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8If I ascend up into heaven - The word “heaven” here, in the original is in the plural number - “heavens,” - and includes all that there is above the earth - the highest worlds. If I make my bed - Properly, “If I strew or spread my couch.” If I should seek that as the place where to lie down. In hell - Hebrew, “Sheol.” See the notes at Isaiah 14:9, where the word is fully explained. The word here refers to the under-world - the abodes of the dead; and, in…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-16Verses 7-16 We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not desire to go from the Lord. Whither can I go? In the most distant corners of the world, in heaven, or in hell, I cannot go out of thy reach. No veil can hide us from God; not the thickest darkness. No disguise can save any person or action from being seen in the true light by him. Secret haunts of sin are as open before God as the most open villanies. On the other hand, the believer…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8if I make my bed in Sheol: God has complete access to all he has created, even the most hidden or hard-to-reach places.Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 8and if I make my bed Heb. ואציעה, an expression of a spread (מצע) and a bed.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 139:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 139
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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