What does Psalm 139:7 mean?
If David wanted to escape from God's all-encompassing knowledge, he would not find any place to hide from God.Elijah fled to the desert south of Judah to escape Jezebel's wrath, but he could not distance himself from the Lord. The Lord revealed Himself to Elijah in a low whisper and gave him new opportunities to serve Him (1 Kings 19:9–18).
Jonah tried to flee from God's presence when God commanded him to go to Nineveh and call out against it. Instead of going east to Nineveh, he boarded a ship headed west to Tarshish (Jonah 1:1–3). He soon discovered God was present, no matter how far he ran. The Lord prepared a great storm which led to Jonah being cast into the sea, and still God was there (Jonah 1:11–12). He had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1:17). In the belly of the fish, Jonah repented and vowed to obey the Lord (Jonah 2:1).
For an obedient believer, the omnipresence of God is a comfort. Jesus said, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Hebrews 13:5 echoes the promise "I will never leave you nor forsake you." This promise means we do not have to fear what anyone can do to us (Hebrews 13:6).
Psalm 139:7–12 follows a passage focused on God's omniscience. This section of the psalm describes His omnipresence: His ability to be everywhere at once. David mentions some of the places he might go, only to discover that God is there. The knowledge of God's presence comforted David. He knew God would be with him everywhere he went.
In this psalm David marvels at God's amazing characteristics. God knows everything about him: where he goes, all David's thoughts and everything about his conduct. The Lord knows what David will say even before David says it. There is no place David can go that God isn't already present. David marvels at God's creative work in the womb. He is thankful for God's innumerable thoughts for him and for God's presence day and night. Finally, David's thoughts turn to the wicked. He considers them God's enemies and his, and longs for God to slay them. David is disgusted by evil people because they rail against God and take His name in vain. He asks God to search his heart to see if any sin is there, and he asks God to lead him in the way everlasting.
