Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 139:7

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 139:7

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 139:7

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" — Psalms 139:7 (ASV)

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? - Where shall I go where your spirit is not; that is, where you are not; where there is no God. The word spirit here does not refer particularly to the Holy Spirit, but to God as a spirit. "Where shall I go from the all-pervading Spirit—from God, considered as a spirit?" This is a clear statement that God is a Spirit ; and that, as a spirit, He is Omnipresent.

Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? - Hebrew, From His face; that is, where He will not be, and will not see me. I cannot find a place—a spot in the universe—where there is not a God, and the same God. Fearful thought to those that hate Him—that, much as they may wish or desire it, they can never find a place where there is not a holy God! Comforting to those that love Him—that they will never be where they may not find a God—their God; that nowhere, at home or abroad, on land or on the ocean, on earth or above the stars, they will ever reach a world where they will not be in the presence of that God—that gracious Father—who can defend, comfort, guide, and sustain them.