Psalm 57 10

Psalm 57:10 kjv

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

Psalm 57:10 nkjv

For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.

Psalm 57:10 niv

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 57:10 esv

For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 57:10 nlt

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 10 Meaning

Psalm 57:10 proclaims the boundless nature of God's two fundamental attributes: His steadfast love (or covenantal faithfulness) and His unwavering faithfulness (or trustworthiness). The poetic imagery of "to the heavens" and "to the clouds" signifies that these divine qualities are not limited by human comprehension or earthly confines; they are immeasurable, infinite, and extend across all creation. This declaration serves as the bedrock for the Psalmist's confidence and praise, even amidst great distress.

Psalm 57 10 Context

Psalm 57 is titled "A Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." This likely refers to events recounted in 1 Samuel 22:1 or 1 Samuel 24:3, where David sought refuge in caves while being relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who sought to kill him. This historical backdrop establishes the context of intense danger, fear, and solitude. The Psalm opens with an earnest plea for God's mercy and protection (vv. 1-3), followed by a description of David's perilous situation and enemies (vv. 4-6). However, there is a distinct shift in tone from supplication to resolute praise and unwavering confidence in God's deliverance (vv. 7-11). Verse 10, "For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds," provides the theological foundation and motivation for David's sudden, profound expression of worship. Despite his dire circumstances, David's faith is rooted in the vast and certain character of God. The psalm concludes with a repetition of the chorus from verse 5, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!" (v. 11), emphasizing the global reach and recognition of God's majesty, flowing directly from His infinite attributes. Implicitly, the absolute nature of Yahweh's 'hesed' and 'emunah' stands in stark contrast to the capricious and limited nature often attributed to pagan deities, subtly highlighting God's incomparable character.

Psalm 57 10 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): This conjunction serves as a causal or explanatory particle. It introduces the reason why David's heart is steadfast, and why he sings praise, linking his resolve to the immensity of God's character.
• your steadfast love (חַסְדְּךָ - chascdecha, from חֶסֶד - chesed): One of the most significant words in the Old Testament, chesed denotes more than mere emotional love. It refers to a deep, active, covenantal loyalty, unfailing mercy, and steadfast kindness. It is an attribute of God expressing His faithful commitment to His promises and to His people, going beyond obligation to generous, compassionate action. It implies reliability and consistency rooted in a relationship.
• is great (גָּדֹל - gadol): Means large, immense, mighty, preeminent. It describes the magnitude and overwhelming abundance of God's love, emphasizing its grandeur and boundless extent.
• to the heavens (עַד־שָׁמַיִם - ad-shamayim): A poetic hyperbole indicating an extreme height or limitless extent. It suggests that God's steadfast love is beyond all earthly measure, transcending human experience and reaching into the celestial realm where God Himself dwells. It portrays universality and ultimate loftiness.
• your faithfulness (וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ - ve'emunathecha, from אֱמוּנָה - emunah): Derived from the root 'amen' (אָמַן), meaning to be firm, steady, reliable, or trustworthy. Emunah describes God's complete dependability, truthfulness, and constancy. He is true to His word and unchanging in His character. What God says, He does; what He promises, He fulfills.
• to the clouds (עַד־שְׁחָקִים - ad-shchaqim): A parallel image to "to the heavens," reinforcing the boundless and elevated nature of God's attribute. Clouds, often associated with divine majesty, the divine presence (e.g., God appearing in a cloud), or the height of the sky, here serve to magnify the limitless reach of God's faithfulness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For your steadfast love is great": This phrase introduces the central theological assertion that grounds David's praise. It identifies a primary characteristic of God—His active, covenantal love—and declares its immense scope. The chesed is not just present but overwhelmingly vast.
• "your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds": This is a beautiful example of synonymous parallelism, a common poetic device in the Psalms. The second half of the verse re-states and amplifies the first. It expresses the infinite, transcendent quality of God's two interconnected attributes—His loyal love and His utter reliability. By referencing "heavens" and "clouds," the Psalmist paints a cosmic picture, indicating that these attributes are not confined to specific situations or people but permeate all creation and are universally applicable. This cosmic scale implies that God's character provides a stable, unchanging reality that surpasses any earthly circumstance, no matter how dire.

Psalm 57 10 Bonus section

The positioning of Psalm 57:10 (along with Psalm 57:5 repeated in 57:11) is significant. It functions as the thematic climax of the Psalm, showcasing David's resolve and transformation from fearful supplication (vv. 1-4) to triumphant praise (vv. 7-11). The structure of the Psalm, moving from crying out to God to proclaiming of God's greatness, is mirrored in this verse which explains the basis for such profound confidence. This movement suggests that truly understanding God's vast, reliable character (His 'hesed' and 'emunah') is foundational to overcoming fear and transitioning into worship, even when circumstances remain unchanged. The enduring truth of God's nature is depicted as higher and stronger than any earthly threat or human failure. Furthermore, the echoes of this verse in Psalms 36:5 and 108:4 underscore its importance as a consistent theological affirmation in Israelite worship—a confession not just personal to David, but a bedrock truth for all who trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Psalm 57 10 Commentary

Psalm 57:10 is a powerful affirmation of God's character, particularly poignant given David's perilous situation. It reveals that the bedrock of David's trust and worship, even while hunted in a cave, is not based on his changing circumstances but on the unchangeable, infinite nature of God's steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness (emunah). These twin attributes form the reliable pillars of God's being and action towards humanity. Hesed ensures His loyal commitment to His covenant, demonstrating a gracious, active kindness, while emunah guarantees His perfect trustworthiness and the certainty of His promises. The imagery of "heavens" and "clouds" is a magnificent hyperbole, conveying that these qualities are limitless, transcending all human experience and even the cosmos. This means there is no situation, no depth of despair, and no height of trial that can outreach or diminish the boundless love and fidelity of God. For the believer, this truth instills profound confidence: if God's very nature is limitless love and absolute faithfulness, then His deliverance, His comfort, and His providential care are unfailing. For instance, when facing seemingly impossible obstacles, like David in the cave, remembering that God's 'hesed' is "great to the heavens" reassures us that His power to deliver and sustain knows no bounds. When His promises appear delayed, acknowledging His 'emunah' extends "to the clouds" reminds us that His word is utterly dependable and will certainly come to pass in His perfect timing.