Psalms 36:5
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Original Language Analysis
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
H3068
יְ֭הוָה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
is in the heavens
H8064
בְּהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
is in the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 6
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ
Thy mercy
H2617
חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ
Thy mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
3 of 6
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗
and thy faithfulness
H530
אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗
and thy faithfulness
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
4 of 6
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
Cross References
Psalms 100:5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Psalms 108:4For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.Psalms 103:11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.Psalms 57:10For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.Psalms 89:2For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.Psalms 92:2To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Historical Context
The heavens and clouds represented the highest reaches of observable creation in ancient cosmology. Attributing divine attributes to these extremes communicated incomprehensible magnitude to the original audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does meditating on God's limitless mercy counter despair over human wickedness?
- In what ways can you make God's character as prominent in your thinking as the sky above?
Analysis & Commentary
The dramatic shift from wickedness (vv. 1-4) to God's attributes provides deliberate contrast. God's mercy (Hebrew 'chesed,' covenant love, lovingkindness) reaches 'the heavens,' His faithfulness 'unto the clouds'—hyperbolic language expressing limitless extent. While the wicked's thoughts barely extend beyond their bed (v. 4), God's character fills the cosmos. This juxtaposition teaches that God's goodness infinitely surpasses human evil, encouraging trust despite prevalent wickedness.