Psalm 139:9
New International Version
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

New Living Translation
If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

English Standard Version
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Berean Standard Bible
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,

Berean Literal Bible
If I lift up the wings of the morning, if I settle in the furthest part of the sea,

King James Bible
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

New King James Version
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

New American Standard Bible
If I take up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

NASB 1995
If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

NASB 1977
If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Legacy Standard Bible
If I lift up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Amplified Bible
If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Berean Annotated Bible
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,

Christian Standard Bible
If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits,

American Standard Version
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Contemporary English Version
Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.

English Revised Version
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I climb upward on the rays of the morning sun [or] land on the most distant shore of the sea where the sun sets,

Good News Translation
If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west,

International Standard Version
If I take wings with the dawn and settle down on the western horizon

NET Bible
If I were to fly away on the wings of the dawn, and settle down on the other side of the sea,

New Heart English Bible
If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Webster's Bible Translation
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea,

World English Bible
If I take the wings of the dawn, and settle in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I take the wings of morning, "" I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,

Berean Literal Bible
If I lift up the wings of the morning, if I settle in the furthest part of the sea,

Young's Literal Translation
I take the wings of morning, I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea,

Smith's Literal Translation
Shall I lift up the wings of the dawn? shall I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I take my wings early in the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:

Catholic Public Domain Version
If I assume my feathers in early morning, and dwell in the utmost parts of the sea,

New American Bible
If I take the wings of dawn and dwell beyond the sea,

New Revised Standard Version
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I lift up my wings like those of an eagle, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If I shall lift my wings like an Eagle's and dwell at the end of the Sea
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
If I should spread my wings to fly straight forward, and sojourn at the extremity of the sea, it would be vain,

Additional Translations ...



Context
You Have Searched Me and Known Me
8If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. 9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, 10even there Your hand will guide me; Your right hand will hold me fast.…

Cross References
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

Job 38:12-13
In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place, / that it might spread to the ends of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

Psalm 113:3
From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
if I settle by the farthest sea,

Deuteronomy 30:13
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?’

Jonah 1:3
Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.

Psalm 107:23-24
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters. / They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.
Job 26:9-10
He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. / He has inscribed a horizon on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.

Amos 9:2-3
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.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

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.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

Genesis 28:12
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.

1 Kings 8:27
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

Deuteronomy 30:4
Even if you have been banished to the farthest horizon, He will gather you and return you from there.

Exodus 19:4
‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.

Matthew 28:20
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.”


Treasury of Scripture

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

If I take.

the wings

Psalm 18:10
And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Psalm 19:6
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

dwell

Psalm 74:16,17
The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun…

Isaiah 24:14-16
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea…

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Dawn Dwell Far Farthest Morning Part Parts Remotest Rise Sea Settle Side Uttermost Wings
Psalm 139
1. David praises God for his all-seeing providence
17. And for this infinite mercies
19. He defies the wicked
23. He prays for sincerity












If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

David pictures traveling with the first light as it spreads swiftly from the east. Even the speed and brilliance of sunrise cannot carry a person beyond God’s sight or rule.

Job 38:12-13 In your days, have you commanded the morning…
Psa 113:3 From where the sun rises to where it sets…
Mal 1:11 For My name will be great among the nations,…

if I settle by the farthest sea,

The distant sea points westward, beyond Israel’s familiar land and toward the limits of the known world. Whether one travels to the horizon or makes a home in a foreign place, God remains fully present.

Deu 30:13 And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask,…
Jon 1:3 Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish…
Psa 107:23-24 Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade…

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 139, David is expressing his understanding of God's omnipresence and omniscience.

2. Wings of the Dawn
A poetic expression referring to the speed and reach of the morning light, symbolizing the farthest east.

3. Farthest Sea
Likely referring to the Mediterranean Sea, representing the farthest west from the perspective of ancient Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Omnipresence
No matter where we go, God is present. This truth provides comfort and assurance that we are never alone.

The Futility of Escaping God
Like Jonah, we cannot outrun God. Understanding this can lead us to surrender and trust in His plans.

God's Sovereignty Over Creation
The imagery of the dawn and the sea reminds us of God's control over the natural world, encouraging us to trust in His power.

Personal Reflection and Assurance
Reflect on the personal nature of God's presence in your life. This can lead to deeper intimacy with Him.

Encouragement in Trials
In times of trouble, remember that God's presence is with you, providing strength and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 139:9?

2. How does Psalm 139:9 illustrate God's omnipresence in our daily lives?

3. What comfort can we derive from "wings of the dawn" in Psalm 139:9?

4. How does Psalm 139:9 connect with Jonah's attempt to flee from God?

5. How can we apply the truth of God's presence in Psalm 139:9 today?

6. In what ways does Psalm 139:9 encourage trust in God's guidance and protection?

7. How does Psalm 139:9 reflect God's omnipresence in our lives?

8. What is the significance of "wings of the dawn" in Psalm 139:9?

9. How does Psalm 139:9 challenge our understanding of God's reach and presence?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 139?


(9) If . . .--Literally,

I lift wings of dawn

I dwell in the end of the sea.

The wings of the morning.--This exquisite image suggesting not only the pinions of cloud that seem often to lift the dawn into the sky, but also the swift sailing of the light across the world, may be compared to the "wings of the sun" in Malachi 4:2, and the "wings of the wind" in Psalm 18:10.

The uttermost parts of the sea--i.e., to a Hebrew the extreme west. The poet imagines himself darting from east to farthest west, with the rapidity of light.

Verses 9, 10. - If I take the wings of the morning. If I were to speed across the earth on the wings of the dawn, and, having done so, were then to dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea - the extreme west, where the sun sets - even there shall thy hand lead me. In that distant region I should still find thy guiding hand. And thy right hand shall hold me. Thy strong right hand would uphold me.

Psalm 139:9 insists that neither rapid ascent with the dawn nor deliberate exile to the world’s outermost sea can place us outside God’s immediate presence and care. The verse magnifies His omnipresence, offering deep comfort: wherever we go, the same God who authored light and commands the oceans travels with us, ahead of us, and within us.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If I rise on
אֶשָּׂ֥א (’eś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the wings
כַנְפֵי־ (ḵan·p̄ê-)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle

of the dawn,
שָׁ֑חַר (šā·ḥar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7837: Dawn

if I settle
אֶ֝שְׁכְּנָ֗ה (’eš·kə·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell

by the farthest
בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית (bə·’a·ḥă·rîṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 319: The last, end, the future, posterity

sea,
יָֽם׃ (yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin


Additonal Resources
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OT Poetry: Psalm 139:9 If I take the wings (Psalm Ps Psa.)

Psalm 139:8
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