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Psalms 139:7
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Jerry Bridges
Basilea Schlink
Richard Owen Roberts
Roy Daniel
G.W. NorthSummary
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- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there,.... No man hath ascended or can ascend to heaven of himself; it is an hyperbolical expression, as are those that follow; none but Christ has ascended to heaven by his own power, who descended from it; saints hope to go there at death, and, when they do, they find God there; that is his habitation, his throne is there, yea, that is his throne; here he keeps court and has his attendants, and here he will be seen and enjoyed by his people to all eternity; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there; which, if understood of the place of the damned, is a place of torment, and a very unfit one to make a bed in, being a lake burning with fire and brimstone; and where the smoke of their torment ascends for ever, and they have no rest day nor night; their worm never dies, and their fire is not quenched; and even here God is: hell is not only naked before him, and all its inhabitants in his view; but he is here in his powerful presence, keeping the devils in chains of darkness; turning wicked men daily into it, pouring out his wrath upon them, placing and continuing an unpassable gulf between them and happy souls: though rather this is to be understood of the grave, in which sense the word is often used; and so Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and Arama, interpret it of the lowest parts of the earth, as opposed to heaven; the grave is a bed to the saints, where they lie down and rest, and sleep till the resurrection morn, Job 14:12; and here the Lord is watching over and keeping their dust, and will raise it up again at the last day. The Targum is, "there is thy Word.''
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
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.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
139:7-12 The psalmist expresses his awe at the Lord’s omnipresence.
Psalms 139:7
You Have Searched Me and Known Me
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 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.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Who Is the Holy Spirit and How Can We Know Him?
By A.W. Tozer7.0K37:12Holy SpiritPSA 139:7In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the tragedy that has befallen the Church of Christ but offers hope for change. He suggests that this kind of preaching will either drive people away or inspire them to seek better things. The preacher promises to continue discussing the promise of the Father and how to be filled with the Holy Spirit in future sermons. He also highlights the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit as a loving and friendly presence, who can be grieved when ignored or disobeyed.
The Fear of God - Part 4
By Jerry Bridges2.0K57:12Fear Of GodLEV 19:14DEU 8:17PSA 32:5PSA 139:7In this sermon, the speaker begins with a far-fetched illustration of a Christian leader who contemplates going to a topless dancer performance to "experience all of life." However, he realizes that he cannot escape the presence of God and decides against it. The speaker then moves on to discuss the discerning and protective presence of God, emphasizing that God's hand will guide and hold us fast. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God is the creator of everything and does not need anything from us, but rather gives us life and breath. The speaker also mentions the importance of being aware of our thoughts and the need for repentance.
Abraham, My Friend: 08 Beachheads and Blessings
By Ron Bailey1.3K11:41AbrahamGEN 12:2PSA 139:7MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life of Abraham and how he became a praying man and a friend of God. The speaker emphasizes the unique revelation of God in the Bible, where God is both transcendent and imminent. Unlike other religions, where God is either distant or constantly underfoot, the Bible teaches that God is able to focus on and bless individual people. Abraham was chosen by God to be a beachhead, a point of contact for God's blessings to reach others. The ultimate purpose of Abraham's blessings was not for his own benefit, but for him to become a blessing to all the families of the earth.
Prepare to Meet Your God
By Basilea Schlink56404:35Radio ShowPSA 139:7In this sermon, Basilia Schlink discusses the importance of being prepared to meet the Lord. She shares a vision given to Sadhu Sundar Singh, where a man in hell questions God's love due to the darkness and anguish he experiences. An angel offers the man a chance to enter heaven, but the overwhelming holiness of God repels him, causing him to return to the depths of hell. Schlink emphasizes that sin cannot stand before the holiness of God and highlights the need for the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse and make us holy. She concludes by urging listeners to seek the light of God's holiness and embrace the blood of the Lamb in order to enter into eternal joy in the kingdom of God.
Understanding the Presence of God in Revival
By Richard Owen Roberts55016:27PSA 139:7
This sermon delves into the concept of revival, emphasizing the closeness of heaven to earth during such times. It explores the allure of heaven, not just in terms of physical aspects like golden streets or eternal day, but in the personal connections and the unbroken presence of God. The sermon also discusses the different aspects of God's presence - essential, manifest, and cultivated - highlighting the transformative impact of experiencing God's manifest presence, especially during revival.
The Omnipresence of God
By Roy Daniel3431:12:08Character Of GodPSA 139:7PRO 15:3ISA 59:2JER 23:24MAT 28:20HEB 4:131JN 3:20In this sermon, the preacher discusses three attributes of God that are interconnected and have the power to radically transform lives. The sermon begins with a personal anecdote about a child who is afraid of someone being under their bed, highlighting the unexpected dangers that can lurk in the darkness. The preacher then leads into a prayer, acknowledging God's holiness, love, and unchanging nature. The sermon emphasizes that these attributes of God have profound implications for our lives and can bring about life-changing transformation when embraced.
Three C's
By G.W. North1001:06:25Christian LifePSA 139:7MAT 6:33EPH 1:15EPH 2:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel and the love of God. He highlights how believers were once dead in their sins but have been made alive through Christ. The preacher encourages the audience to have the spirit of wisdom and understanding to fully grasp the depth of God's love. He also references Psalm 139 to emphasize that God is always present and knows everything about us. The sermon concludes with a call to respond to the gospel and live in accordance with God's will.
Sin and Salvation
By Sadhu Sundar Singh2PSA 139:7MAT 1:21MAT 11:28LUK 19:10JHN 3:14JHN 6:55JHN 10:10JHN 16:22PHP 3:6REV 21:23Sadhu Sundar Singh delves into the concept of sin, explaining that it is the act of disobeying God's will and choosing to follow one's desires instead. He emphasizes that sin is not a creation of God but rather a delusive and destructive state of being, leading many astray. Through the incarnation and redemption, God's boundless love is revealed, offering a way for sinners to be rescued from darkness and find eternal joy in heaven. Sundar Singh also addresses the misconception that salvation can be earned through good deeds, highlighting the need for repentance and a new life in Christ to bear lasting fruit and receive true peace and eternal life.
God the Holy Spirit: His Advent
By Lewis Sperry Chafer0GEN 41:38EXO 31:3NUM 27:18JOB 33:4PSA 139:7HAG 2:4ZEC 4:6LUK 11:13JHN 14:161CO 6:19EPH 2:182TH 2:7HEB 9:14Lewis Sperry Chafer delves into the Spirit's advent into the world, emphasizing the various dispensations and revealed purposes of God. The Holy Spirit's presence in the world before and after the first advent of Christ is explored, highlighting His continuous work in and through the people of God. The progressive ministry of the Spirit during Christ's earthly ministry and the present age of the Church is discussed, focusing on His abode in believers and the growth of the spiritual temple. The future departure of the Spirit from the world and His unique ministry during the Kingdom age are also examined.
First Letter
By Brother Lawrence0PSA 16:8PSA 139:7PHP 4:6HEB 13:5JAS 4:8Brother Lawrence shares his method of attaining a habitual sense of God's presence, emphasizing the importance of giving oneself wholly to God, renouncing all else for His love, and living as if there is none but God and oneself in the world. He describes the practice of constantly keeping the mind in God's holy presence, worshiping Him, and driving away any distractions that may interrupt thoughts of God, leading to a holy freedom and familiarity with God. Through faithful practice, the presence of God becomes natural and habitual, resulting in a closer relationship with Him and the ability to ask for and receive His graces.
Faithful in Ordinary Things
By Mary Wilder Tileston02CH 19:9PSA 139:7PRO 15:31CO 10:31COL 3:17Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of living in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart in all aspects of life, even in the smallest details. She highlights the Christian's noblest struggle in being conscious of every thought and action for the sake of Jesus. Tileston reminds believers that God is present everywhere, observing all our actions and words, urging them to do everything as if unto the Lord, with the awareness of His unseen eye as the driving force behind their behavior.
Vain Worship. 5:1-20
By W.J. Erdman0PSA 139:7ECC 3:12ECC 5:1ECC 12:13COL 1:17In the sermon 'The Seeker,' W.J. Erdman reflects on the emptiness of worldly pursuits and the superficiality of human worship, urging worshippers to approach God with reverence and sincerity. He highlights the distance between man and God, portraying Him as a distant, judgmental figure, especially in religious institutions that ignore Christ as the Redeemer. Erdman emphasizes the importance of enjoying life with gratitude and a God-centered perspective, ultimately concluding that true goodness and beauty come from acknowledging God's presence in all aspects of life.
Peniel
By Henry Law0GEN 32:30PSA 139:7ISA 27:5ISA 62:7ISA 64:7HOS 12:4MAT 7:7HEB 4:16JAS 4:21JN 5:14Henry Law preaches on the story of Jacob at Peniel, emphasizing the importance of faith and prayer in experiencing God's presence and receiving His blessings. Jacob's unwavering faith and persistent prayer led to a life-changing encounter with God, where he wrestled with the Divine and received a new name, Israel, signifying his victory and princely power with God and men. Law encourages believers to seek their own Peniel moments, where they can see God face to face, have their lives preserved, and experience His presence in every aspect of their lives.
Joseph Saw God in the Room!
By Thomas Brooks0God's OmnipresenceThe Nature of SinGEN 39:9PSA 139:7PRO 15:3Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence of God, illustrating that sin committed in His sight is a profound affront to His holiness. He draws parallels between the actions of Ahasuerus and the awareness of God's ever-watchful eye, urging believers to recognize that no sin can be hidden from Him. Brooks highlights the example of Joseph, who refrained from sin because he saw God in the room, contrasting this with the temptation faced by Potiphar's wife. The sermon calls for a deep awareness of God's presence to deter wicked intentions and encourages believers to live in a manner that honors His omniscience. Ultimately, Brooks urges the congregation to keep their focus on God, who sees all things at all times.
Homily 14
By Clement of Rome0PSA 139:7PRO 25:9JER 29:11ROM 8:281CO 1:27Clement of Rome preaches about the baptism of Mattidia in a secret place by the sea, highlighting the importance of privacy and reverence in spiritual practices. Peter encounters an old man who denies the existence of God and providence, leading to a debate on fate versus free will. The old man shares his personal experiences to support his belief in Genesis, while Peter argues against it, emphasizing the role of providence and divine intervention in human affairs. The discussion continues with Clement proposing a debate with an astrologer to further explore the validity of Genesis.
Meister Eckhart Genuine Quotes
By Meister Eckhart0PSA 139:7JHN 1:1ROM 8:91CO 2:14COL 1:17Meister Eckhart emphasizes the deep spiritual truths found in the Bible, challenging the misconceptions and limited understanding of the Trinity and God's nature held by some. He encourages believers to seek a higher level of spiritual discernment beyond human reasoning and to allow God to work within them, bringing peace and unity with Christ. Eckhart delves into the concept of God's continuous creation and presence in all things, highlighting the divine essence that sustains all existence and the profound unity found in God.
God Moving in Houston in 1997
By John Follette0PSA 139:7JER 29:13JHN 4:24ACT 17:27John Follette emphasizes the spiritual essence of God, highlighting that although God can manifest in a physical form, His true nature is Spirit, omnipresent and not limited by physical boundaries. He encourages experiencing God rather than just defining Him doctrinally, emphasizing the importance of personal encounters to truly understand His reality.
The Message of Esther
By G. Campbell Morgan0Divine ProvidenceTrust in GodEST 4:14PSA 139:7ROM 8:28G. Campbell Morgan delivers a powerful sermon on 'The Message of Esther,' emphasizing God's providential action in the lives of His people, even when He seems hidden. He illustrates how God uses seemingly trivial events to fulfill His divine purpose, showcasing His perfect knowledge, righteousness, and absolute power. Morgan highlights the contrasting outcomes for those who recognize God's providence, experiencing confidence and courage, versus those in rebellion, facing panic and punishment. The sermon calls for individuals to reckon with God, trust Him, and act in cooperation with His will, reinforcing the message that God is actively involved in every aspect of life. Ultimately, the book of Esther serves as a profound reminder of God's unwavering presence and guidance throughout history.
The Lord Will Do All
By Mary Wilder Tileston0PSA 139:7ISA 26:4JER 31:3MAT 11:28ROM 8:38Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of trusting in the Lord for everlasting strength, emphasizing that God is always with us as our guide, cheering our spirits with His love and reviving us in times of darkness. She highlights how often we live our lives apart from God, toiling as if our destinies are solely in our hands, when in reality, God is present with us, knowing us deeply and loving us beyond our comprehension. Tileston challenges the belief that God's love and willingness to help us may be lacking, reminding us of His omnipotence, wisdom, and most importantly, His boundless love.
Twelfth Letter
By Brother Lawrence0PSA 16:11PSA 139:7MAT 28:20PHP 4:6HEB 13:5JAS 1:2Brother Lawrence emphasizes the importance of constantly being in the presence of God, finding comfort and strength in prayer and faith even in the midst of suffering. He encourages offering our pains to God, seeking His will, and maintaining a deep connection with Him through adoration and surrender. Despite uncertainties and trials, Brother Lawrence finds unending joy and peace in God's presence, acknowledging his own weaknesses but relying on faith to sustain him. He urges believers to remain steadfast in their faith, always seeking God's presence and living in accordance with His will.
Everywhere the Gate of Heaven
By John Henry Jowett0GEN 28:16PSA 139:7HEB 4:13JAS 4:81JN 1:9John Henry Jowett preaches about Jacob's encounter with God in an unlikely place, highlighting how God is present everywhere, even in the darkest moments of our lives when we may try to forget Him. Jacob's realization that 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not' serves as a reminder that God's presence is constant and that there is no corner of the earth cut off from His vigilance. Despite our shortcomings and sins, there is always a way for us to reach God through prayer, confession, and seeking His mercy.
The Ear of God
By John Hames0PSA 34:15PSA 139:7ISA 49:16MAT 7:71PE 3:12John Hames delivers a sermon on the attentive, patient, and universal ear of God, emphasizing that His ears are always open to the cries of the righteous. Hames explores the comforting truth that God's ear is not only universal and attentive but also patient, confidential, impartial, and unforgetting, highlighting the unique and unwavering nature of God's listening to His children.
"Am I a Sea, or a Whale?"
By C.H. Spurgeon0God's ProvidenceThe Nature of SufferingJOB 7:12PSA 139:7C.H. Spurgeon explores Job's lamentation, 'Am I a sea, or a whale?' to illustrate how some individuals feel excessively scrutinized by God during their struggles. He emphasizes that while God's watchfulness may feel burdensome, it is ultimately a sign of His love and care, meant to guide and protect us from self-destruction. Spurgeon argues that our weaknesses often lie close to our strengths, and that God's providence serves to keep us from harm, even when we may not understand it. He encourages listeners to recognize the grace in God's watchful eye and to embrace the freedom that comes from serving Him. The sermon concludes with a call to accept Christ's love and guidance, transforming our complaints into gratitude.
Within the Heart of Me
By Ed Wrather0PSA 139:7MAT 28:20ROM 8:381JN 4:16Ed Wrather emphasizes the intimate presence of God in our lives, highlighting how God walks with us through every step of our journey on earth. He encourages believers to recognize and cherish the gift of God's love that surrounds them, filling their souls with warmth and care. Wrather inspires the congregation to live a life dedicated to holding and sharing this wondrous gift of God's love as they navigate through the unfolding chapters of their lives.
The Presence of God, What It Is, and the Means by Which It May Be Enjoyed.
By John Gill0God's PresenceSeeking God2CH 15:2PSA 139:7John Gill emphasizes the significance of God's presence in the lives of believers, explaining that the Lord is with His people as long as they remain faithful to Him. He outlines that God's presence is not merely His omnipresence but a gracious communion that brings joy and comfort, especially during trials. Gill stresses the importance of seeking God through prayer and worship, asserting that those who earnestly seek Him will find Him, while those who forsake Him will experience His absence. He encourages believers to maintain their relationship with God and to be diligent in their spiritual practices to enjoy His presence fully. Ultimately, the sermon serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from being in close fellowship with God.
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
John Gill Bible Commentary
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there,.... No man hath ascended or can ascend to heaven of himself; it is an hyperbolical expression, as are those that follow; none but Christ has ascended to heaven by his own power, who descended from it; saints hope to go there at death, and, when they do, they find God there; that is his habitation, his throne is there, yea, that is his throne; here he keeps court and has his attendants, and here he will be seen and enjoyed by his people to all eternity; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there; which, if understood of the place of the damned, is a place of torment, and a very unfit one to make a bed in, being a lake burning with fire and brimstone; and where the smoke of their torment ascends for ever, and they have no rest day nor night; their worm never dies, and their fire is not quenched; and even here God is: hell is not only naked before him, and all its inhabitants in his view; but he is here in his powerful presence, keeping the devils in chains of darkness; turning wicked men daily into it, pouring out his wrath upon them, placing and continuing an unpassable gulf between them and happy souls: though rather this is to be understood of the grave, in which sense the word is often used; and so Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and Arama, interpret it of the lowest parts of the earth, as opposed to heaven; the grave is a bed to the saints, where they lie down and rest, and sleep till the resurrection morn, Job 14:12; and here the Lord is watching over and keeping their dust, and will raise it up again at the last day. The Targum is, "there is thy Word.''
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
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.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
139:7-12 The psalmist expresses his awe at the Lord’s omnipresence.