King James Version

What Does Psalms 139:12 Mean?

Psalms 139:12 in the King James Version says “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to t...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 139 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. hideth: Heb. darkeneth not the darkness and: Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light”

Psalms 139:12 · KJV

Context

10

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. hideth: Heb. darkeneth not the darkness and: Heb. as is the darkness, so is the light

13

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. right: Heb. greatly

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee—The emphatic yea (גַּם, gam) concludes the thought from v. 11. Hideth not (lo-yachshik, לֹא־יַחְשִׁיךְ)—darkness cannot darken things from God. Night shines (ya'ir, יָאִיר) as day—to divine perception, no difference exists. The final phrase darkness and light are both alike (ka-choshekah ka-orah, כַּחֲשֵׁיכָה כָאוֹרָה) uses ka (כַּ, 'as, like') twice—equal, equivalent, identical to God.

This obliterates our categories of concealment. God doesn't have night vision; He has perfect vision unaffected by ambient light levels. To Him who is light (1 John 1:5), all things are equally visible. This truth simultaneously comforts (God sees our affliction even in deepest darkness) and convicts (God sees our sin even in deepest secrecy).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Light and darkness were primal categories in Hebrew thought—creation began with God separating light from darkness (Genesis 1:4). Yet the Creator transcends His creation; the distinction that organizes our reality doesn't limit His perception. This verse presents God as utterly beyond creaturely limitations.

Reflection Questions

  1. Since darkness and light are alike to God, what does this reveal about the futility of trying to hide anything from Him?
  2. How does this truth comfort you when walking through your 'darkest valley' (Psalm 23:4)—that God sees perfectly even there?
  3. What would change if you lived every moment—public daylight and private nighttime—with equal consciousness that all is equally visible to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
גַּם1 of 10
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

חֹשֶׁךְ֮2 of 10

“Yea the darkness”

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

לֹֽא3 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ4 of 10

“hideth”

H2821

to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken

מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ5 of 10
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וְ֭לַיְלָה6 of 10

“not from thee but the night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

כַּיּ֣וֹם7 of 10

“as the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יָאִ֑יר8 of 10

“shineth”

H215

to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)

כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה9 of 10

“the darkness”

H2825

darkness; figuratively, misery

כָּאוֹרָֽה׃10 of 10

“and the light”

H219

luminousness, i.e., (figuratively) prosperity; also a plant (as being bright)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 139:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 139:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 2:22Job 34:22Exodus 20:21Hebrews 4:13Job 26:6Exodus 14:20

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