New International VersionIf I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
New Living TranslationIf I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.
English Standard VersionIf I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
Berean Standard BibleIf I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
King James BibleIf I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
New King James VersionIf I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
New American Standard BibleIf I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
NASB 1995If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
NASB 1977If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.
Legacy Standard BibleIf I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
Amplified BibleIf I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there.
Christian Standard BibleIf I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
Holman Christian Standard BibleIf I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
American Standard VersionIf I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
Contemporary English VersionIf I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.
English Revised VersionIf I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIf I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.
Good News TranslationIf I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
International Standard VersionIf I rise to heaven, there you are! If I lay down with the dead, there you are!
NET BibleIf I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be.
New Heart English BibleIf I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, look, you are there.
Webster's Bible TranslationIf I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
World English BibleIf I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf I ascend the heavens—You [are] there, "" And spread out a bed in Sheol, behold, You!
Young's Literal Translation If I ascend the heavens -- there Thou art, And spread out a couch in Sheol, lo, Thee!
Smith's Literal TranslationIf I shall ascend to the heavens, thou art there: and shall I bend down to hades, behold thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.
Catholic Public Domain VersionIf I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I descend into Hell, you are near.
New American Bible
If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are.
New Revised Standard Version
If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
If I ascend into heaven, thou art there; if I descend into Sheol, behold, thou art there also.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If I shall ascend to Heaven, there you are, and if I would descend to Sheol, you are there also!OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
If I should go up to heaven, thou art there: if I should go down to hell, thou art present.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context You Have Searched Me and Known Me… 7Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? 8IfI ascendto the heavens,Youare there;if I make my bedin Sheol,You are there.9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,…
Cross References Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, / neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jeremiah 23:24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
Amos 9:2-3Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.
Job 26:6Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
Proverbs 15:11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!
Isaiah 7:11“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.”
Ephesians 4:9-10What does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? / He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.
Matthew 28:20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jonah 2:2saying: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
Revelation 1:18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
Deuteronomy 30:12-13It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ / And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’
Job 11:8They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
1 Kings 8:27But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.
Acts 17:27-28God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. / ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Treasury of Scripture If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there. I ascend Ezekiel 28:12-17 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty… Amos 9:2-4 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: … Obadiah 1:4 Though thou exaltthyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. in hell Job 26:6 Hellis naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. Job 34:21,22 For his eyesare upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings… Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destructionare before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? Jump to Previous AscendBedCouchDepthsHeavenHeavensHellNether-WorldSheolSpreadUnderworldJump to Next AscendBedCouchDepthsHeavenHeavensHellNether-WorldSheolSpreadUnderworldPsalm 139 1.David praises God for his all-seeing providence17.And for this infinite mercies19.He defies the wicked23.He prays for sincerityIf I ascend to the heavens, You are there;This phrase emphasizes the omnipresence of God, a central theme in the Psalms and throughout Scripture. The "heavens" often refer to the sky or the dwelling place of God, symbolizing the highest point of existence. In biblical context, the heavens are seen as the realm of divine presence and authority. This echoes other scriptures such as Deuteronomy 4:39, which acknowledges God's sovereignty over heaven and earth. Theologically, this affirms that no matter how high one might go, God's presence is inescapable. It also reflects the belief that God is not confined to a physical location but is present everywhere, a concept that is foundational to understanding God's nature. if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.
Sheol in ancient Hebrew thought is often understood as the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living. It is not equivalent to the later Christian concept of hell but rather a shadowy existence after death. The phrase "make my bed" suggests settling or residing, indicating that even in the depths of Sheol, God's presence is still accessible. This challenges the notion of Sheol as a place devoid of God, suggesting instead that God's reach extends even into the depths of death. This is consistent with other biblical passages, such asJob 26:6 andAmos 9:2, which also speak of God's presence in Sheol. Theologically, this can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament revelation of Christ's victory over death and the grave, as seen in passages like1 Corinthians 15:55, where death's power is ultimately defeated. This phrase reassures believers of God's unending presence and care, even in the most desolate and hopeless situations. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 139, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing his understanding of God's omnipresence and omniscience. 2. HeavensRefers to the highest places, often seen as the dwelling place of God, symbolizing the utmost heights of existence. 3. SheolIn Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living, representing the lowest depths. 4. GodThe central figure in this verse, whose presence is affirmed in both the highest and lowest places. 5. OmnipresenceThe theological concept that God is present everywhere at all times, which is a key theme in this verse. Teaching Points God's OmnipresenceGod's presence is not limited by physical locations. Whether in the heights of heaven or the depths of Sheol, God is there. This assures us that no matter where we are, God is with us. Comfort in God's PresenceUnderstanding that God is always present can bring comfort in times of loneliness or despair. We are never truly alone. Accountability to GodGod's omnipresence also means we are always in His sight, which should encourage us to live righteously and be mindful of our actions. God's SovereigntyRecognizing God's presence in all places underscores His sovereignty over all creation, reminding us to trust in His control over our lives. Hope in God's PresenceEven in the darkest places or situations, God's presence offers hope and the possibility of redemption and transformation. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 139
Psalm 139:8: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence for the biblical concept of “Sheol,” or is it purely metaphorical?
Where can the Holy Spirit be found?
If God is omnipresent, how can Hell be a place where God is absent?
In Job 11:8, is Sheol literally beneath the earth, and if so, why is there no archaeological evidence of it?(8) If I make my bed in hell.--Literally, If I make Sheol my bed.(For the thought see Amos 9:2, and comp. Proverbs 15:11; Job 26:6.) This conviction that the underworld was not exempt from the vigilance and even from the visitation of Jehovah makes an advance in thought fromPsalm 6:5 (where see Note), &c, where death is viewed as cutting off the Hebrew altogether from his relation to the Theocracy. Verse 8. - If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; i. e. "if I were to ascend up into heaven, if I could do so, thou wouldst still be there - I should not find myself where thou wert not; no, nor even if I went down to hell ( Sheol), should I escape thee - thou wouldst be there also." If I make my bed in hell means, "if I go down and take my rest in hell" - the place of departed spirits. Behold, thou art there; literally, behold, thou!
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Ifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notI ascendאֶסַּ֣ק(’es·saq)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5266:To go upto the heavens,שָׁ֭מַיִם(ma·yim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyYouאָ֑תָּה(’āt·tāh)Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and youare there;שָׁ֣ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherif I make my bedוְאַצִּ֖יעָה(wə·’aṣ·ṣî·‘āh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 3331:To strew as a, surfacein Sheol,שְּׁא֣וֹל(šə·’ō·wl)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585:Underworld (place to which people descend at death)You are there.הִנֶּֽךָּ׃(hin·ne·kā)Interjection | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2005:Lo! behold!
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OT Poetry: Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven you (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
