כִּֽי־גָדֹ֣ל עַד־שָׁמַ֣יִם חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְֽעַד־שְׁחָקִ֥ים אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃
For great unto the heavens is Your covenant loyalty, and unto the clouds is Your truth.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | כִּי | ki | “for” | Conjunction |
| 2 | גָּדוֹל | gadol | “great” | Adj ms |
| 3 | עַד־שָׁמַיִם | ʿad-shamayim | “unto heavens” | Prep עַד + N(mp) |
| 4 | חַסְדֶּךָ | ḥasdekha | “Your covenant loyalty” | N(ms)+suff 2ms |
| 5 | וְעַד־שְׁחָקִים | ve-ʿad-sheḥaqim | “and unto clouds” | Conj וְ + Prep עַד + N(mp) |
| 6 | אֲמִתֶּךָ | ʾamitekha | “Your truth” | N(fs)+suff 2ms |
Morphology
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces explanation.
- גָּדוֹל (gadol) – Root: גדל (g-d-l); Root Type: Strong; Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “great”; Notes: Describes magnitude.
- עַד־שָׁמַיִם (ʿad-shamayim) – Root: שׁמים (š-m-y-m); Root Type: Plural form; Form: Preposition עַד + noun masculine plural; Translation: “unto the heavens”; Notes: Expresses extent.
- חַסְדֶּךָ (ḥasdekha) – Root: חסד (ḥ-s-d); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “Your covenant loyalty”; Notes: Divine faithful love. The term chesed is covenantal in nature. While many translations render it as “mercy” or “lovingkindness,” the word specifically denotes steadfast, obligatory love within a sworn bond. “Covenant loyalty” is therefore a precise and sophisticated choice: it emphasizes that God’s action is not a vague sentiment but the fulfillment of His binding commitment. The nuance is legal and relational—God’s chesed is the faithful execution of His covenant promises, underscoring reliability rather than mere affection.
- וְעַד־שְׁחָקִים (ve-ʿad-sheḥaqim) – Root: שׁחק (š-ḥ-q); Root Type: II-Guttural (ח) (weak); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition עַד + noun masculine plural; Translation: “and unto the clouds”; Notes: Parallel extent imagery. The word עַד (ʿad) denotes a limit or destination. Retaining the literal “unto” preserves the sense of measurement: David is not simply saying that God’s character is “in” the heavens, but that it stretches up to them. The imagery is expansive—he is measuring divine faithfulness against the largest visible objects, the heavens themselves. The preposition thus conveys reach and extent, emphasizing that God’s character is immeasurable, rising to the highest boundary the psalmist can perceive.
The word שְׁחָקִים comes from a root meaning “to beat small” or “to pulverize,” evoking fine dust or thin vapor in the upper atmosphere. Rendering it as “clouds” is a strict and fitting choice. It creates a layered spatial image: שָׁמַיִם denotes the vast expanse of the heavens, while שְׁחָקִים marks the visible, shifting veil of the sky. The distinction adds depth—heavens as the immeasurable backdrop, clouds as the dynamic markers of height and movement. - אֲמִתֶּךָ (ʾamitekha) – Root: אמת (ʾ-m-t); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “Your truth”; Notes: Faithfulness and reliability. The noun אֱמֶת (ʾemet) derives from the root אמן (ʾ‑M‑N), meaning “to be firm” or “to be reliable.” Rendering it as “truth” is the classic literal equivalent, but in Hebrew the concept extends beyond factual accuracy. It conveys firmness, stability, and dependability—the quality of being trustworthy. Paired with חֶסֶד (“covenant loyalty”), the two terms form a powerful theological couplet: God is both committed (chesed) and consistent (emet). Together they portray divine character as steadfast in promise and unwavering in reliability.