Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens
This phrase emphasizes the boundless and immeasurable nature of God's love. The term "loving devotion" is often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy" in other versions, derived from the Hebrew word "chesed," which signifies a covenantal love that is loyal and enduring. This concept is central to the character of God as revealed throughout the Old Testament, particularly in His dealings with Israel. The imagery of reaching "to the heavens" suggests an infinite expanse, indicating that God's love is beyond human comprehension and limitless. This is echoed in other scriptures such as Psalm 103:11, which states, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him." The heavens, in ancient Near Eastern cosmology, were seen as the realm of the divine, further underscoring the divine origin and nature of this love.

Your faithfulness to the clouds
The phrase "Your faithfulness" refers to God's reliability and trustworthiness. In the Hebrew Bible, faithfulness is often linked with truth and stability, attributes that are unchanging and eternal. The comparison to "the clouds" suggests a vastness and elevation, similar to the previous phrase, indicating that God's faithfulness is as expansive and enduring as the sky itself. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages, such as Lamentations 3:22-23, which speaks of God's mercies being new every morning and His faithfulness being great. The clouds, often seen as part of the heavens, symbolize the divine presence and the mystery of God's ways, as seen in the cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). This faithfulness is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is described as "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), embodying the unchanging nature of God's promises.

1. David
The author of Psalm 36, David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often wrote psalms that express deep trust and reliance on God's character.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people.

3. Heavens and Clouds
These are used metaphorically to describe the vastness and immeasurability of God's loving devotion and faithfulness.Understanding God's Loving Devotion
God's loving devotion (Hebrew: "chesed") is a steadfast, covenantal love that is unwavering and eternal. It is not based on our actions but on His character.

The Immeasurable Nature of God's Faithfulness
Just as the heavens and clouds are beyond human reach, so is God's faithfulness beyond our full comprehension. It is constant and reliable.

Trusting in God's Character
In times of uncertainty, believers can find comfort in the unchanging nature of God's love and faithfulness. This trust should lead to a life of worship and obedience.

Reflecting God's Faithfulness in Our Lives
As recipients of God's faithfulness, we are called to reflect His character in our relationships, showing steadfast love and reliability to others.

The Assurance of God's Presence
Knowing that God's love and faithfulness are vast and unending provides assurance that He is always present and active in our lives, regardless of circumstances.(5) Thy mercy, O Lord, is in . . .--Better,

Jehovah, to the heavens (reacheth) thy grace,

Thy faithfulness to the sky.

i.e., there are no narrower bounds of divine mercy and truth.

Verse 5. - Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens. Instead of the usual contrast between the wicked man and the godly one (Psalm 1:1-6; Psalm 4:2, 3; Psalm 5:10, 11, etc.), the psalmist here makes the startling contrast between the wicked man and God! The character of the wicked man is given in four verses (vers. 1-4), the portrait of God in five (vers. 5-9). God's first and principal characteristic is "mercy" - or rather, "loving-kindness" (חסר). This quality is revealed, not on earth only, but also in heaven, towards the angels. Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Next to loving-kindness in God comes "faithfulness" - fidelity to every promise that he has ever made, unswerving attachment to those whom he has once loved, undeviating maintenance of the truth (comp. Psalm 57:10; Psalm 108:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Your loving devotion,
חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ (ḥas·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

O LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

reaches to the heavens,
בְּהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם (bə·haš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

Your steadfastness
אֱ֝מֽוּנָתְךָ֗ (’ĕ·mū·nā·ṯə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the clouds.
שְׁחָקִֽים׃ (šə·ḥā·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7834: A powder, a thin vapor, the firmament


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OT Poetry: Psalm 36:5 Your loving kindness Yahweh (Psalm Ps Psa.)