In verses 7-12 the psalmist praises Yahweh’s power to be present everywhere; this thought is not only a comfort but a warning as well, since it reminds him that nowhere can he escape Yahweh’s notice. In verse 7 the two lines are parallel and synonymous: go from and flee from, and thy Spirit … thy presence. The question in Hebrew is a way of saying that it is impossible to get away from Yahweh’s presence; it does not imply, however, that the psalmist wants to get away from him.
Yahweh’s “spirit” is his presence and power. Good News Translation has not used the word “spirit” here, since the Hebrew ruach in this context, parallel with “face” in the next line, means Yahweh himself, not the use of his power to give life and strength (see its use in 51.11; 104.29-30). See also Bible en français courant “you … your presence”; Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “you … you”; Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “your breath … your face.” It should be noticed that in English there is a considerable difference of meaning between “spirit,” with a lowercase initial letter, and “Spirit,” spelled with a capital initial letter. Especially in the context of the Bible, “the Spirit of God” will be understood by the Christian reader to mean “the Holy Spirit,” in terms of Christian theology. So Revised Standard Version and New International Version Spirit should not be imitated; New English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible “spirit” is better. But best of all is to say “you” or “your presence.” The two questions in verse 7 may require a reply, namely “Nowhere.” In some languages it will be more natural to recast these questions (or this single question if reducing the two to one) as negative statements; for example, “There is nowhere I could go where you will not also be” or “No matter where I go you will always be there.”
The psalmist speaks of the most distant places in the universe, in all of which Yahweh is present; neither in heaven above nor in Sheol below (see 6.5 and comments) would he, the psalmist, be beyond Yahweh’s knowledge and care.
Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .