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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 139:12 even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/139-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/19_Psa_139_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 139:12 - You Have Searched Me and Known Me" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You." /><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/139-12.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/139-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/139-11.htm" title="Psalm 139:11">◄</a> Psalm 139:12 <a href="/psalms/139-13.htm" title="Psalm 139:13">►</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 />even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/139.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/139.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/139.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light <i>are</i> both alike <i>to thee</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/139.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light <i>are</i> both alike <i>to You.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/139.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike <i>to You.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/139.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike <i>to Thee</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/139.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Even the darkness is not too dark for You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike <i>to You</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/139.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Even the darkness is not dark to You <i>and</i> conceals nothing from You, But the night shines as bright as the day; Darkness and light are alike <i>to You.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/139.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/139.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/139.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/139.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/139.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Even the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/139.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />even the darkness is not too dark for you. Night is as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same [to you].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/139.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/139.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />even darkness isn't dark to you, darkness and light are the same to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/139.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to You, but the night shines like the day, for darkness is as light to You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/139.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness is not too dark for you to see, and the night is as bright as day; darkness and light are the same to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/139.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness doesn't hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/139.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yes, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/139.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />even the darkness doesn’t hide from you, but the night shines as the day. The darkness is like light to you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/139.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Also darkness does not hide from You, "" And night shines as day, "" As [is] darkness so [is] light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/139.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Also darkness hideth not from Thee, And night as day shineth, as is darkness so is light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/139.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also darkness shall not darken from thee; and the night shall shine as the day: as the darkness, so the light.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/139.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But darkness shall not be dark to thee, and night shall be light as day: the darkness thereof, and the light thereof are alike to thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/139.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 138:12>But darkness will not be impenetrable to you, and night will illuminate like the day: for just as its darkness is, so also is its light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/139.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Darkness is not dark for you, and night shines as the day. Darkness and light are but one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/139.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/139.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The darkness shall not be dark to thee; but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/139.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the darkness will not darken from you, the night will shine like the day and the darkness as the light.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/139.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Even the darkness is not too dark for Thee, But the night shineth as the day; The darkness is even as the light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/139.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For darkness will not be darkness with thee; but night will be light as day: as its darkness, so shall its light <i>be to thee</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/139-12.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=17290" 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">11</span>If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me”— <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">even</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">the darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2821.htm" title="2821: yaḥ·šîḵ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or grow dark. A primitive root; to be dark; transitively, to darken.">dark</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·me·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">to You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: wə·lay·lāh (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">but the night</a> <a href="/hebrew/215.htm" title="215: yā·’îr (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become light. A primitive root; to be luminous.">shines</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: kay·yō·wm (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">like the day,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2825.htm" title="2825: ka·ḥă·šê·ḵāh (Prep-k, Art:: N-fs) -- Darkness. Or chashekah; from chashak; darkness; figuratively, misery.">for darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/219.htm" title="219: kā·’ō·w·rāh (Prep-k, Art:: N-fs) -- Luminousness, prosperity, a plant. Feminine of 'owr; luminousness, i.e. prosperity; also a plant.">is as light to You.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.…<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="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a></span><br />The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Isaiah 9:2</a></span><br />The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-16.htm">Matthew 4:16</a></span><br />the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a></span><br />For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a></span><br />For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a></span><br />Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-79.htm">Luke 1:79</a></span><br />to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-18.htm">Acts 26:18</a></span><br />to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13</a></span><br />He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></span><br />I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-22.htm">Job 12:22</a></span><br />He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Daniel 2:22</a></span><br />He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Micah 7:8</a></span><br />Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yes, the darkness hides not from you; but the night shines as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to you.</p><p class="hdg">the darkness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/14-20.htm">Exodus 14:20</a></b></br> And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness <i>to them</i>, but it gave light by night <i>to these</i>: so that the one came not near the other all the night.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Exodus 20:21</a></b></br> And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God <i>was</i>.</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="hdg">hideth not.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/115-13.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/psalms/97-4.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/psalms/27-5.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Light</a> <a href="/psalms/139-11.htm">Night</a> <a href="/psalms/132-18.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/psalms/72-17.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/psalms/112-4.htm">Shineth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/17-15.htm">Alike</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-14.htm">Bright</a> <a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/psalms/143-3.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/psalms/143-7.htm">Hide</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Hideth</a> <a href="/psalms/148-3.htm">Light</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-9.htm">Night</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Shine</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Shineth</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/139.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/139.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>even the darkness</b><br />The Hebrew word for "darkness" is "חֹשֶׁךְ" (choshek), which often signifies obscurity, ignorance, or adversity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, darkness was frequently associated with chaos and evil. However, this phrase emphasizes God's omnipresence and omniscience, suggesting that even the most profound darkness cannot obscure His vision or presence. This is a comforting reminder that no matter how hidden or lost we may feel, God sees and knows all.<p><b>is not dark to You</b><br />The phrase underscores God's transcendence over creation. The Hebrew root "חָשַׁךְ" (chashak) means to be dark or obscure. Yet, to God, darkness is not an impediment. This reflects the theological truth that God is light (1 <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>), and in Him, there is no darkness at all. His divine nature pierces through any form of darkness, whether physical or spiritual, affirming His sovereignty and the futility of trying to hide from Him.<p><b>but the night shines like the day</b><br />Here, "night" (לַיְלָה, laylah) and "day" (יוֹם, yom) are juxtaposed to illustrate God's ability to illuminate the night. In the ancient world, night was a time of vulnerability and fear, yet this phrase reassures believers that God’s presence transforms night into day. The Hebrew verb "אוֹר" (or) means to shine or give light, indicating that God’s presence brings clarity and safety, dispelling fear and uncertainty.<p><b>for darkness is as light to You</b><br />This concluding phrase reiterates the theme of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. The Hebrew word "אוֹר" (or) for "light" signifies not just physical illumination but also truth, purity, and divine revelation. To God, darkness and light are indistinguishable because His essence is light itself. This serves as a powerful reminder that God’s understanding and presence are not limited by human constraints, offering believers assurance that God is always with them, guiding and protecting them regardless of their circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, David is expressing his awe of God's omnipresence and omniscience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this Psalm, God is depicted as all-knowing and ever-present, with the ability to see through darkness as if it were light.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/darkness_and_light.htm">Darkness and Light</a></b><br>Symbolic elements used to contrast human limitations with God's limitless perception and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipresence.htm">God's Omnipresence</a></b><br>No place is hidden from God. His presence is constant, providing comfort and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>God knows all things, including our deepest thoughts and fears. We can trust Him with our innermost concerns.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/light_in_darkness.htm">Light in Darkness</a></b><br>In times of personal darkness or uncertainty, God’s presence brings clarity and hope. We are never alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_guidance.htm">Trust in God's Guidance</a></b><br>Just as God sees through darkness, He can guide us through life's uncertainties. We should seek His wisdom and direction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_insight.htm">Spiritual Insight</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to walk in the light, reflecting God's truth and love in a world often shrouded in darkness.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/139.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Hideth not.--</span>Better to keep as near as possible to the original <span class= "ital">maketh not dark. </span>Others render <span class= "ital">cannot be too dark for thee. </span>The highest development of the psalmist's thought is of course to be found in St. John's declaration, "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."<p><span class= "bld">Shineth.--</span>Or, <span class= "ital">giveth </span>light.<p><span class= "bld">The darkness </span>. . .--Literally, <span class= "ital">as darkness, so light.</span><p><span class= "ital">"</span>God is the light which, never seen itself, makes all things visible, and clothes itself in colours."--RICHTER.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/139-12.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">even</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹשֶׁךְ֮</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dark</span><br /><span class="heb">יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ</span> <span class="translit">(yaḥ·šîḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2821.htm">Strong's 2821: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dark, to darken</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to You,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(mim·me·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the night</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭לַיְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lay·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shines</span><br /><span class="heb">יָאִ֑יר</span> <span class="translit">(yā·’îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_215.htm">Strong's 215: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become light</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the day,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּיּ֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(kay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for darkness</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ka·ḥă·šê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2825.htm">Strong's 2825: </a> </span><span class="str2">Darkness, misery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is as light to You.</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּאוֹרָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(kā·’ō·w·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_219.htm">Strong's 219: </a> </span><span class="str2">Luminousness, prosperity, a plant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/139-12.htm">Psalm 139:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/139-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness doesn't hide from you (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/139-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 139:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/139-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 139:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 139:13" /></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>