Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 139:7-16

"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 Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night; Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike [to thee]. For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother`s womb. I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, [And] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, [Even] the days that were ordained [for me], When as yet there was none of them." — Psalms 139:7-16 (ASV)

We cannot see God, but he can see us. The psalmist did not desire to go from the Lord. Where can I go? In the most distant corners of the world, in heaven, or in hell, I cannot go out of your reach. No veil can hide us from God; not even the thickest darkness. No disguise can prevent any person or action from being seen by him in its true light. Secret haunts of sin are as open before God as the most open wicked acts.

On the other hand, the believer cannot be removed from the supporting, comforting presence of his Almighty Friend. Should the persecutor take his life, his soul will sooner ascend to heaven. The grave cannot separate his body from the love of his Savior, who will raise it as a glorious body.

No outward circumstances can separate him from his Lord. While in the path of duty, he may be happy in any situation, by the exercise of faith, hope, and prayer.