What does Psalm 108:4 mean?
ESV: For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
NIV: For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
NASB: For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.
CSB: For your faithful love is higher than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
NLT: For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
KJV: For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
NKJV: For Your mercy is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the clouds.
Verse Commentary:
David is credited with this psalm, the words of which are taken nearly word-for-word from Psalm 57:7–11 and Psalm 60:5–12. This statement (Psalm 57:10) also resembles David's remarks in Psalm 36:5.
The Hebrew word checed implies the Lord's patient, loyal, steady love and concern for His people. The word is sometimes presented in English as "mercy" or "lovingkindness." The overall message of the Bible is that of a Creator (Genesis 1:1) who loves His creation and goes to great lengths to provide for it (John 3:16). Much of the Old Testament speaks of this incredible loyalty on God's part (Psalm 119:90; Jeremiah 31:3; Lamentations 3:23).
The concept of "faithfulness" or "truth" comes from the root word 'emet, which can also mean dependability or commitment. God possesses these traits to an extent the human mind cannot conceive. A common English expression for large quantities is "sky high," and David uses the same symbolic imagery here.
Verse Context:
Psalm 108:1–5 is nearly identical to Psalm 57:7–11. Here, David thanks and praises God for His loyal love. David vows to praise the Lord from the moment he wakes up using singing and musical instruments. He wants God to be exalted so that His people will triumph over their enemies.
Chapter Summary:
The psalmist—repeating words of David's prior psalms—first declares loyalty to the Lord. He declares that God should be worshipped by His people. Next, God's sovereign rule is celebrated. Even so, the song speaks of fears and doubts, calling on the Lord to provide aid in a dire battle. The overall sense is one of confidence and assurance in God.
Chapter Context:
This psalm combines portions of two other songs (Psalm 57:7–11; Psalm 60:5–12). Psalm 57 relates to David's attempts to evade the jealous King Saul. Psalm 60 reacts to a surprise attack from Edom. Psalm 108 borrows the conclusions of these prior messages; these emphasize a commitment to praise and honor God and to recognize His absolute rule. The psalm is "of David" because it uses his words, but this arrangement may not have been his personal doing.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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