Psalm 103 11

Psalm 103:11 kjv

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

Psalm 103:11 nkjv

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

Psalm 103:11 niv

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

Psalm 103:11 esv

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

Psalm 103:11 nlt

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

Psalm 103 verses

Psalm 103 11 Meaning

Psalm 103:11 declares the immeasurable extent of God's steadfast love and loyal covenant faithfulness (hesed) towards those who revere and obey Him. It uses the vast, unimaginable height of the heavens above the earth as a metaphor to convey the boundless, infinite, and awe-inspiring nature of divine affection and commitment, establishing it as transcending all human limitations and expectations.

Psalm 103 11 Context

Psalm 103 is a fervent hymn of praise from David, brimming with gratitude for God's abundant goodness and gracious dealings with humanity. It immediately follows verses that speak of God forgiving all iniquities, healing diseases, redeeming from the pit, and crowning with love and tender mercies (vv. 3-4). The psalm moves from personal blessings to God's universal character, highlighting His compassion and slowness to anger (vv. 8-10). Verse 11 serves as a profound affirmation and explanation of the magnitude of this steadfast love, introducing the grand cosmic metaphor. It leads into descriptions of God removing transgressions far away (v. 12) and His parental compassion (v. 13), further contrasting God's eternal nature with humanity's transient existence (vv. 14-16) before circling back to the eternal nature of God's hesed for those who fear Him (v. 17). The verse fits within a larger celebration of God's benevolent rule and enduring character, designed to evoke awe and worship. Historically, it would have served as a foundational truth for Israel, reinforcing their unique covenant relationship with the one true God, distinct from the capricious and limited deities of surrounding nations.

Psalm 103 11 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): An explanatory conjunction, indicating that what follows is a reason, confirmation, or expansion of the previous thought, connecting the forgiveness and compassion of verses 8-10 to their vast source.
• as high (גֹּבַהּ - govah): Implies great height, elevation, or loftiness. Here, it refers to the immense vertical distance, emphasizing something unattainable or immeasurable by human standards.
• as the heavens (הַשָּׁמַיִם - hashamayim): Refers to the sky or cosmos. In biblical cosmology, the heavens represent transcendence, immense space, and the dwelling place of God. Its vastness symbolizes infinitude and majesty.
• are above (עַל - al): Literally "on," "over," "upon," or "above." It indicates spatial relationship, reinforcing the sense of elevated position and overwhelming distance.
• the earth (הָאָרֶץ - ha'aretz): Refers to the ground, land, or planet Earth. It represents the physical realm, the human domain, and a point of comparison for immense scale. The contrast highlights the extreme difference in magnitude.
• so great (גָּבַר - gavar - meaning "prevailed" or "mighty," though often rab or gadol used for "great"): The term used here gavar (as found in some Masoretic texts for a similar sense of strength/might) combined with the concept of scale, signifies exceeding mightiness or prevailing power. Other translations use words like "mighty" or "greatly expanded." It indicates an overwhelming, conquering, or immense degree. The idea is one of the prevalence and strength of God's love.
• is his steadfast love (חַסְדּוֹ - chasdo, from חֶסֶד - chesed): One of the most significant theological terms in the Old Testament. Chesed embodies covenant loyalty, unwavering faithfulness, enduring mercy, loyal love, kindness, and compassionate grace. It's a dynamic love that compels God to fulfill His promises and remain faithful to His covenant partners, even in their failures. It’s active, persistent, and foundational to His character.
• toward (עַל - al): Signifies direction or specific application. This love is not diffused aimlessly but precisely directed.
• those who fear him (יְרֵאָיו - yere'av, from יָרֵא - yare): Refers to those who possess a reverential awe and humble submission to God, not a terror-driven dread. It implies acknowledging God's sovereignty, holiness, and power, which leads to trust, obedience, and devotion. This "fear" is the foundation of wisdom and true relationship with God (Prov 1:7). It defines the specific recipients of God's boundless hesed.

• For as high as the heavens are above the earth: This phrase functions as a cosmic hyperbole or a similitude. It vividly depicts an unimaginable, infinite scale. It contrasts the limited human perspective and physical reality with God's transcendent nature. This imagery draws from common observation to illustrate the uncontainable and unmeasurable nature of God's attribute. It also serves as a polemic against pagan deities whose power and influence were often localized or limited to specific domains; Yahweh's dominion and nature are truly universal and without boundary.
• so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him: This is the theological punchline. The immeasurable spatial distance described immediately before is directly equated to the boundless magnitude of God's hesed. It emphasizes that God's faithful, covenantal love is not conditional on human perfect performance but is an outflow of His immense character, freely given to those who orient their lives in humble reverence towards Him. This love is stable, unwavering, and consistent. The qualifier "those who fear him" shows this vast love is particular to a people in right relationship with God, not a universal, indiscriminate affection that overrides accountability.

Psalm 103 11 Bonus section

The concept of chesed is deeply rooted in God's covenant relationship with Israel. It signifies God's unswerving loyalty and mercy that drives Him to act benevolently on behalf of His people, fulfilling His promises despite their disobedience. This divine hesed is the basis for all salvation and restoration, demonstrating that His character, not human merit, is the ultimate source of blessing. The "fear of the Lord" (reverence, not terror) is consistently presented throughout Scripture as the correct posture for humanity before a holy God. It signifies humble acknowledgment of His sovereignty and a heart submitted to His will, leading to wisdom, discernment, and ultimately, an experience of His boundless chesed. This verse provides a bedrock of theological truth: the God of creation, who transcends all, simultaneously extends immeasurable, faithful love to His obedient children.

Psalm 103 11 Commentary

Psalm 103:11 profoundly declares the boundless nature of God's steadfast love, His chesed, for those who honor Him. It draws a magnificent parallel between the immense distance separating the heavens from the earth and the immeasurable depth and scope of God's faithful affection. This is not a mere simile but an assertion of proportionality: God's love is as infinitely vast and enduring as the cosmos He created. It is a love that surpasses comprehension, transcends human weakness, and is unconstrained by any earthly limitation. The verse is a powerful assurance that for those who humbly acknowledge and live in reverent awe of their Creator, this magnificent chesed is not a distant, theoretical concept, but an active, permeating reality, a foundation of their hope and security in God. It demonstrates that God's disposition toward His people is one of overflowing, covenantal kindness that far exceeds their failures or their capacity to measure.