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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 139:8 If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/19_Psa_139_008.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 139:8 - You Have Searched Me and Known Me" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/139-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/139-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Chapter 139</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/139-7.htm" title="Psalm 139:7">◄</a> Psalm 139:8 <a href="/psalms/139-9.htm" title="Psalm 139:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/139.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/139.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/139.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/139.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, thou <i>art</i> there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou <i>art there</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/139.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If I ascend into heaven, You <i>are</i> there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You <i>are there.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/139.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/139.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/139.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/139.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/139.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/139.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/139.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/139.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/139.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I go up to heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, you are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/139.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/139.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If I rise to heaven, there you are! If I lay down with the dead, there you are!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/139.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/139.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I were to ascend to heaven, you would be there. If I were to sprawl out in Sheol, there you would be. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/139.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, look, you are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/139.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/139.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, you are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, you are there! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/139.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If I ascend the heavens—You [are] there, "" And spread out a bed in Sheol, behold, You!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/139.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If I ascend the heavens -- there Thou art, And spread out a couch in Sheol, lo, Thee!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/139.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I shall ascend to the heavens, thou art there: and shall I bend down to hades, behold thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/139.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/139.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 138:8>If I ascend into heaven, you are there. If I descend into Hell, you are near.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/139.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; if I lie down in Sheol, there you are. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/139.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/139.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If I ascend into heaven, thou art there; if I descend into Sheol, behold, thou art there also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/139.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If I shall ascend to Heaven, there you are, and if I would descend to Sheol, you are there also!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/139.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; If I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/139.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If I should go up to heaven, thou art there: if I should go down to hell, thou art present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/139-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17263" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">You Have Searched Me and Known Me</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/5266.htm" title="5266: ’es·saq (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go up. A primitive root; to go up.">I ascend</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: ma·yim (N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">to the heavens,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’āt·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">are there;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3331.htm" title="3331: wə·’aṣ·ṣî·‘āh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- To lay, spread. A primitive root; to strew as a surface.">if I make my bed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·wl (N-cs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">in Sheol,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·ne·kā (Interjection:: 2ms) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">You are there.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-38.htm">Romans 8:38-39</a></span><br />For 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Jeremiah 23:24</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Amos 9:2-3</a></span><br />Though 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a></span><br />Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Isaiah 7:11</a></span><br />“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-9.htm">Ephesians 4:9-10</a></span><br />What 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-2.htm">Jonah 2:2</a></span><br />saying: “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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18</a></span><br />the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/30-12.htm">Deuteronomy 30:12-13</a></span><br />It 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?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-8.htm">Job 11:8</a></span><br />They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a></span><br />But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27-28</a></span><br />God 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.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing 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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.</p><p class="hdg">I ascend</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/28-12.htm">Ezekiel 28:12-17</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Amos 9:2-4</a></b></br> Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/obadiah/1-4.htm">Obadiah 1:4</a></b></br> Though thou exalt <i>thyself</i> as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">in hell</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a></b></br> Hell <i>is</i> naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21,22</a></b></br> For his eyes <i>are</i> upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11</a></b></br> Hell and destruction <i>are</i> before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/135-7.htm">Ascend</a> <a href="/psalms/132-3.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/psalms/139-3.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/psalms/135-6.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/psalms/136-26.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/psalms/136-26.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/136-6.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/14-13.htm">Ascend</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-24.htm">Bed</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-16.htm">Couch</a> <a href="/psalms/139-15.htm">Depths</a> <a href="/psalms/146-6.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/psalms/144-5.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-5.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-5.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/psalms/140-5.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 139</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">David praises God for his all-seeing providence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-17.htm">And for this infinite mercies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-19.htm">He defies the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">He prays for sincerity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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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 <a href="/deuteronomy/4-39.htm">Deuteronomy 4:39</a>, 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.<p><b>if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.</b><br>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 as <a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a> and <a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Amos 9:2</a>, 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 like <a href="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">1 Corinthians 15:55</a>, 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.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing his understanding of God's omnipresence and omniscience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavens.htm">Heavens</a></b><br>Refers to the highest places, often seen as the dwelling place of God, symbolizing the utmost heights of existence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living, representing the lowest depths.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, whose presence is affirmed in both the highest and lowest places.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/omnipresence.htm">Omnipresence</a></b><br>The theological concept that God is present everywhere at all times, which is a key theme in this verse.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipresence.htm">God's Omnipresence</a></b><br>God'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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/comfort_in_god's_presence.htm">Comfort in God's Presence</a></b><br>Understanding that God is always present can bring comfort in times of loneliness or despair. We are never truly alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>God's omnipresence also means we are always in His sight, which should encourage us to live righteously and be mindful of our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognizing God's presence in all places underscores His sovereignty over all creation, reminding us to trust in His control over our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_presence.htm">Hope in God's Presence</a></b><br>Even in the darkest places or situations, God's presence offers hope and the possibility of redemption and transformation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_139.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 139</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'sheol'_historical_or_metaphorical.htm">Psalm 139:8: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence for the biblical concept of “Sheol,” or is it purely metaphorical? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_can_the_holy_spirit_be_found.htm">Where can the Holy Spirit be found?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/if_god_is_everywhere,_how_is_hell_godless.htm">If God is omnipresent, how can Hell be a place where God is absent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_sheol_literally_underground_why_no_proof.htm">In Job 11:8, is Sheol literally beneath the earth, and if so, why is there no archaeological evidence of it? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/139.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">If I make my bed in hell.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">If I make Sheol my bed. </span>(For the thought see <a href="/amos/9-2.htm" title="Though they dig into hell, there shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, there will I bring them down:">Amos 9:2</a>, and comp. <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm" title="Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?">Proverbs 15:11</a>; <a href="/job/26-6.htm" title="Hell is naked before him, and destruction has no covering.">Job 26:6</a>.)<p>This conviction that the underworld was not exempt from the vigilance and even from the visitation of Jehovah makes an advance in thought from <a href="/psalms/6-5.htm" title="For in death there is no remembrance of you: in the grave who shall give you thanks?">Psalm 6:5</a> (where see Note), &c, where death is viewed as cutting off the Hebrew altogether from his relation to the Theocracy.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/139.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. "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 (<span class="accented">Sheol</span>), should I escape thee - thou wouldst be there also." <span class="cmt_word">If I make my bed in hell</span> means, "if I go down and take my rest in hell" - the place of departed spirits. Behold, thou art there; literally, <span class="accented">behold</span>, <span class="accented">thou!</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/139-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I ascend</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶסַּ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(’es·saq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5266.htm">Strong's 5266: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go up</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the heavens,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֭מַיִם</span> <span class="translit">(ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’āt·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are there;</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if I make my bed</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַצִּ֖יעָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aṣ·ṣî·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3331.htm">Strong's 3331: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strew as a, surface</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Sheol,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְּׁא֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> </span><span class="str2">Underworld (place to which people descend at death)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You are there.</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֶּֽךָּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hin·ne·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven you (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/139-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 139:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/139-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 139:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>