When I introduced Psalm 139 in last week's study, one of the things I said about it is that it is made up of four matched stanzas in which three of God's greatest attributes are discussed, namely, his omniscience (meaning that God knows all things) omnipresence (meaning that God is everywhere and is there at all times), and omnipotence (meaning that God is supremely powerful). The fourth stanza of the psalm is a response to these attributes. 

H. C. Leupold denies that the psalmist is actually trying to flee from God, and he is right. David is not wanting to flee from God at all. But he is thinking about what would be the case if a person should attempt it. Leupold suggests that the right idea would be conveyed more effectively by translating verse 7 as, “Where could I go” from your presence...Well, where? In verses 8-12 David imagines three areas in which escape from God might be thought to be possible, but he dismisses each one. 

The theme of the first six verses is the omniscience of God, the proper term for the fact that God sees and knows everything. But omniscience is not expressed here as mere doctrine. It is confessed in wonder and adoration, as the other doctrines (omnipresence and omnipotence) will also be. We should remember that confession is one way in which we worship God.

In the last stanza of the psalm the writer comes back to his own needs. He knows that God is great, that he has compassion for the lowly and disdain for those who vainly exalt themselves (v. 6). He knows that God preserves his life, that he stretches out his hand in anger against his foes, that he saves him by the power of his strong right hand (v. 7). But still he walks “in the midst of trouble” and cannot survive unless God preserves his life and stands by him (v. 7). So he prays, “Do not abandon the works of your hands” (v. 8). 

In yesterday's study we looked at the meaning of the puzzling phrase “before the gods.” In today's study we look at the meaning of the NIV's words “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (v. 2). That is only an interpretation because the verse actually reads, “you have exalted your word above your name.”