Psalms 57:10

KJV

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

For thy lovingkindness is great unto the heavens, And thy truth unto the skies.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 57:10 stands as a profound declaration of God's infinite character, proclaiming that His steadfast love (mercy) extends boundlessly "unto the heavens" and His unwavering faithfulness (truth) reaches "unto the clouds." This verse, emerging from David's desperate plea for deliverance, pivots from personal peril to transcendent praise, asserting the immeasurable nature of God's covenant loyalty and absolute reliability as the bedrock of hope and the ultimate ground for worship, even amidst the direst circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 57 is a "Michtam of David," a golden psalm or a psalm of atonement, composed during a period of extreme danger when David was fleeing King Saul and hiding in a cave (likely Adullam or En-gedi, as suggested by the superscription). The psalm opens with a fervent cry for God's mercy and refuge, expressing David's trust in God's protective "wings" ([Psalms 57:1](/psalms/57-1 "Psalms 57:1 - David's Prayer for Mercy")). Despite the immediate threat from his enemies, David's focus quickly shifts from his dire circumstances to the majestic character of God. The psalm moves from lament and petition in the opening verses ([Psalms 57:1-6](/psalms/57-1 "Psalms 57:1-6 - David's Distress and Trust")) to a resolute declaration of praise and confidence in God's deliverance in the latter half ([Psalms 57:7-11](/psalms/57-7 "Psalms 57:7-11 - David's Praise and Exaltation")). Verse 10, therefore, is not a naive statement but a profound declaration of faith, arising from the conviction that the God who saves him is truly majestic and worthy of all praise, culminating in the desire for God's glory to be exalted above all the earth ([Psalms 57:5](/psalms/57-5 "Psalms 57:5 - God's Glory Exalted")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's flight from King Saul was a prolonged and harrowing period of his life, marked by constant pursuit, betrayal, and the necessity of hiding in desolate places like caves in the wilderness of Judah. This historical backdrop underscores the intense personal suffering and vulnerability David experienced. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the heavens and clouds represented the highest, most expansive realms, often associated with divine power and transcendence. For David to declare God's mercy and truth reaching "unto the heavens" and "unto the clouds" was to employ culturally understood hyperbole to convey boundless, immeasurable qualities. It was a declaration that God's attributes were not constrained by earthly limitations or human understanding, but were truly infinite and cosmic in their scope, providing a stark contrast to David's confined and perilous earthly situation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core theological and narrative themes central to the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **boundless nature of God's attributes**, specifically His *ḥesed* (steadfast love/mercy) and *’ĕmet* (truth/faithfulness). These are not merely actions God performs but fundamental aspects of His unchanging character, forming the very foundation of His covenant relationship with His people, as seen throughout the Old Testament, for example, in the description of God's character to Moses in [Exodus 34:6](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6 - God's Compassion and Faithfulness"). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's trustworthiness and reliability**, emphasizing that His promises and His very being are eternally dependable, providing a solid anchor for trust even in the darkest times. This theme is echoed in passages like [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Great Faithfulness"). Finally, Psalms 57:10 serves as the **ground for praise and worship**. David's understanding of the immensity of God's character transforms his lament into worship, demonstrating that true praise flows from a deep apprehension of God's infinite greatness, a theme explicitly stated in [Psalms 57:7-9](/psalms/57-7 "Psalms 57:7-9 - David's Fixed Heart of Praise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This profound Hebrew term is often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It denotes a loyal, active, and enduring love that is faithful to commitments, especially God's faithfulness to His covenant people. It is not merely pity or compassion, but a robust, unwavering commitment that seeks the well-being of the beloved. Its greatness "unto the heavens" suggests its immense, encompassing nature, signifying that God's covenant love is limitless, reaching to the highest possible extent, transcending all human boundaries and failures.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _’ĕmet'_):** This word signifies firmness, faithfulness, reliability, and adherence to reality. It speaks to God's unwavering character, His absolute trustworthiness in keeping His word, and the integrity of His being. God's *’ĕmet* means He is consistent, dependable, and true to Himself and His promises. Its reach "unto the clouds" signifies its elevated, universal, and unchangeable nature, indicating that God's faithfulness is as high and as sure as the clouds, providing an unshakeable foundation for trust.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens":** This clause declares the immeasurable extent of God's *ḥesed*, His steadfast love or covenant loyalty. The phrase "unto the heavens" is a hyperbole signifying boundlessness and infinite reach. It emphasizes that God's compassionate and faithful love is not limited by human understanding, earthly circumstances, or the magnitude of human sin, but extends to the highest conceivable limits, encompassing all who seek Him and upholding His covenant promises.
* **"and thy truth unto the clouds":** This parallel clause reinforces and complements the first, proclaiming the boundless nature of God's *’ĕmet*, His faithfulness and reliability. "Unto the clouds" serves as another hyperbolic expression for infinite height and vastness, mirroring "unto the heavens." It assures the psalmist and all believers that God's word, His character, and His promises are eternally dependable, elevated above all earthly change and uncertainty, providing a solid and unwavering foundation for trust even in the darkest and most desperate times.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 57:10 is rich with literary artistry, primarily employing **Parallelism** and **Hyperbole**. The verse exhibits **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second line ("and thy truth unto the clouds") reiterates and reinforces the meaning of the first line ("For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens") using different but related terms. Both "mercy" and "truth" describe aspects of God's faithful character, and both "heavens" and "clouds" serve as metaphors for immense, immeasurable height and vastness. This repetition with variation emphasizes the comprehensive and boundless nature of God's attributes. The use of "unto the heavens" and "unto the clouds" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, an intentional overstatement for emphasis. These phrases are not meant to be taken literally as physical measurements but are powerful figures of speech designed to convey the infinite, immeasurable, and transcendent quality of God's steadfast love and faithfulness, inspiring awe and profound trust in His character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 57:10 is a cornerstone declaration of God's transcendent character, affirming that His mercy and truth are not merely human qualities but divine attributes of infinite proportion. This verse undergirds the entire biblical narrative, establishing the trustworthiness of God as the foundation for all His interactions with humanity. It speaks to the covenant relationship, where God's *ḥesed* (steadfast love) is the driving force behind His promises and His *’ĕmet* (truth) ensures their unwavering fulfillment. In a world marked by fleeting loyalties and broken promises, this psalm offers a profound theological anchor: the very essence of God is boundless love and absolute reliability. This understanding transforms human suffering into an opportunity for deeper trust and fervent praise, as David exemplifies.

* [Psalms 36:5](/psalms/36-5 "Psalms 36:5 - God's Steadfast Love and Faithfulness")
* [Psalms 103:11](/psalms/103-11 "Psalms 103:11 - God's Great Mercy")
* [Micah 7:18-20](/micah/7-18 "Micah 7:18-20 - God's Unchanging Mercy and Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 57:10 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to worship for believers in every generation. In moments of personal distress, uncertainty, or when facing overwhelming challenges, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that our circumstances, no matter how dire, do not diminish the character of God. His mercy and truth remain constant, infinitely vast, and utterly dependable, providing a sure anchor for our souls amidst life's storms. Understanding the boundless nature of God's steadfast love and unwavering faithfulness builds deep and abiding trust, enabling us to confidently rely on His promises and His sovereign care, knowing that He is faithful to His word and compassionate in His dealings. This realization should not only bring solace but also evoke heartfelt praise and adoration, moving us beyond our immediate problems to glorify the One whose attributes are truly immeasurable and who is eternally worthy of all honor, even when we are hiding in our own "caves."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "greatness unto the heavens" of God's mercy impact your current struggles or anxieties?**
* **In what specific ways does God's "truth unto the clouds" provide a foundation for your trust in His promises, especially when circumstances seem to contradict them?**
* **How can reflecting on the boundless nature of God's character transform your lament into worship, as it did for David?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more fully rely on God's infinite mercy and truth in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "heavens" and "clouds" in this verse?**

Answer: The terms "heavens" and "clouds" are used as hyperbolic expressions to convey the immeasurable, infinite, and transcendent nature of God's attributes. They are not literal measurements but poetic devices signifying the highest possible extent. Just as the heavens and clouds appear boundless to human eyes, so too are God's mercy (steadfast love/covenant loyalty) and truth (faithfulness/reliability) without limit. This emphasizes that God's character is not confined by earthly limitations or human understanding, but is truly cosmic and eternal in its scope.

**How does this verse apply to me when I feel God's mercy is far off?**

Answer: This verse serves as a powerful theological anchor, reminding us that God's character is immutable and not dependent on our feelings or circumstances. David penned this psalm while fleeing for his life, yet he declared God's mercy and truth to be boundless. When you feel God's mercy is distant, this verse calls you to remember that His nature *is* mercy and truth, extending beyond your present perception. It encourages you to fix your heart on His unchanging character, rather than your fluctuating emotions or difficult situations, trusting that His faithfulness endures even when you cannot see it clearly.

**Is this just an Old Testament concept, or does it apply to Christians today?**

Answer: Absolutely, it applies to Christians today. The attributes of God—His mercy and truth—are foundational to His character throughout all of Scripture. The New Testament reveals the ultimate expression of this mercy and truth in Jesus Christ. God's steadfast love and faithfulness are the very basis of the New Covenant, through which believers receive salvation and eternal life. This verse provides a timeless truth about the God we worship, whose boundless love and unwavering faithfulness are the same yesterday, today, and forever, as affirmed in [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 57:10, with its majestic declaration of God's boundless mercy and truth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The infinite *ḥesed* (steadfast love) of God, reaching "unto the heavens," is perfectly embodied in the incarnation of the Son, who, though God, "made himself nothing" to dwell among us, demonstrating divine love in its most tangible form ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). This mercy culminates at the cross, where the Father's great love for a fallen world was displayed in the sacrifice of His only Son, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Similarly, God's unwavering *’ĕmet* (truth), reaching "unto the clouds," is perfectly revealed in Jesus, who is "the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Every promise of God finds its "Yes" and "Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")), demonstrating God's absolute faithfulness to His covenant. Thus, the boundless mercy and truth declared by David in a cave are not abstract concepts but living realities, supremely manifested in the crucified and risen Christ, who is the ultimate expression of God's character, providing an eternal foundation for our hope and worship ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ's Fullness and Reconciliation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 108:4

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

Psalms 103:11

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

Psalms 36:5

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

Isaiah 54:7

For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Psalms 71:19

Thy righteousness also, O God, [is] very high, who hast done great things: O God, who [is] like unto thee!

Psalms 85:10

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other].