Psalms 108:4

For thy mercy [is] great above the heavens: and thy truth [reacheth] unto the clouds.

For thy mercy {H2617} is great {H1419} above the heavens {H8064}: and thy truth {H571} reacheth unto the clouds {H7834}.

For your grace is great, above heaven, and your truth, all the way to the skies.

For Your loving devotion extends beyond the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

For thy lovingkindness is great above the heavens; And thy truth reacheth unto the skies.

Psalm 108:4 (KJV) declares the immeasurable nature of God's divine attributes, providing the foundational reason for the psalmist's exuberant praise and confidence. This verse beautifully articulates that God's mercy and truth are not merely great, but transcend all earthly and even heavenly bounds.

Context

Psalm 108 is a powerful prayer for deliverance and victory, largely composed of verses taken from two earlier Davidic psalms: Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12. The opening verses (1-3) express a firm resolve to praise God with heart and song, and verse 4 then explains why God is worthy of such profound worship. It sets the stage for the psalmist's subsequent plea for divine intervention and confidence in God's help against enemies, rooted in the unchanging character of the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Boundless Divine Attributes: The verse highlights two core aspects of God's character: His mercy and His truth. These are depicted as extending beyond human comprehension, reaching "above the heavens" and "unto the clouds," signifying their infinite and transcendent nature.
  • Foundation for Praise: The psalmist's praise is not arbitrary but flows from a deep understanding and experience of God's unwavering faithfulness and lovingkindness. God's character is the ultimate reason for worship and trust.
  • Divine Reliability: The description of God's truth reaching to the clouds emphasizes His absolute reliability and the certainty of His promises. Believers can confidently rely on God's word and His covenant.

Linguistic Insights

  • Mercy (Chesed): The Hebrew word translated as "mercy" is chesed (חֶסֶד). This rich term denotes more than just pity; it signifies God's steadfast love, covenant loyalty, and active lovingkindness. It's a deep, faithful, and enduring love that God demonstrates towards His people, especially within the context of His covenant relationship. It speaks of God's benevolent faithfulness.
  • Truth (Emeth): The Hebrew word for "truth" is emeth (אֱמֶת). This term conveys firmness, reliability, faithfulness, and veracity. When applied to God, it underscores His unchangeable nature and the absolute certainty and trustworthiness of His word and His promises. God is not only true but is truth itself.
  • Hyperbolic Language: Phrases like "above the heavens" and "unto the clouds" are poetic hyperboles, not literal measurements. They are used to convey the immense, immeasurable, and transcendent nature of God's attributes, emphasizing that His mercy and truth are beyond any earthly or even celestial limit. This poetic expression is also found in Psalm 36:5, which similarly states, "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reach unto the clouds."

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 108:4 offers profound comfort and a solid basis for hope. In a world often marked by uncertainty and unreliability, this verse reminds us of God's unchanging character. We can confidently approach Him, knowing that His mercy is boundless and His truth is unwavering. This understanding should inspire us to praise Him continually, even in difficult circumstances, and to place our complete trust in His promises. It serves as a reminder that His faithfulness extends to every generation, providing a secure foundation for our faith and a powerful motive for worship.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 36:5

    ¶ Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds.

  • Ephesians 2:4

    ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Ephesians 2:7

    That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

  • Psalms 103:11

    For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

  • Psalms 89:2

    For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

  • Psalms 89:5

    ¶ And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

  • Isaiah 55:9

    For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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