Psalm 89:2
New International Version
I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

New Living Translation
Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

English Standard Version
For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”

Berean Standard Bible
For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”

King James Bible
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

New King James Version
For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”

New American Standard Bible
For I have said, “Graciousness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”

NASB 1995
For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”

NASB 1977
For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens Thou wilt establish Thy faithfulness.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For I have said, “Lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens You will establish Your faithfulness.”

Amplified Bible
For I have said, “Goodness and lovingkindness will be built up forever; In the heavens [unchangeable and majestic] You will establish Your faithfulness.”

Christian Standard Bible
For I will declare, “Faithful love is built up forever; you establish your faithfulness in the heavens.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I will declare,” Faithful love is built up forever; You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.”

American Standard Version
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever; Thy faithfulness wilt thou establish in the very heavens.

Contemporary English Version
I will tell them, "God's love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens."

English Revised Version
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I said, "Your mercy will last forever. Your faithfulness stands firm in the heavens."

Good News Translation
I know that your love will last for all time, that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky.

International Standard Version
I will declare that your gracious love was established forever; in the heavens itself, you have established your faithfulness.

Majority Standard Bible
For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.”

NET Bible
For I say, "Loyal love is permanently established; in the skies you set up your faithfulness."

New Heart English Bible
I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them."

Webster's Bible Translation
For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness wilt thou establish in the very heavens.

World English Bible
I indeed declare, “Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For I said, “Kindness is built for all time, "" The heavens! You establish Your faithfulness in them.”

Young's Literal Translation
For I said, 'To the age is kindness built, The heavens! Thou dost establish Thy faithfulness in them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
For I said, Mercy shall be built up forever: the heavens, thy faithfulness shall be prepared in them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you have said: Mercy will be built in the heavens, unto eternity. Your truth will be prepared there.

New American Bible
For I said, “My mercy is established forever; my faithfulness will stand as long as the heavens.

New Revised Standard Version
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I have said, The world shall be built up with mercy; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he said, "The world will be built in grace and Heaven will establish your faithfulness"!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For I have said: 'For ever is mercy built; In the very heavens Thou dost establish Thy faithfulness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thou hast said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy truth shall be established in the heavens.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Sing of His Love Forever
1A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the loving devotion of the LORD forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generations. 2For I have said, “Loving devotion is built up forever; in the heavens You establish Your faithfulness.” 3You said, “I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant:…

Cross References
Psalm 36:5
Your loving devotion, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—

Psalm 57:10
For Your loving devotion reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.

Psalm 117:2
For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!

Psalm 119:90
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.

Psalm 25:10
All the LORD’s ways are loving and faithful to those who keep His covenant and His decrees.

Psalm 40:10
I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation; I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly.

Psalm 138:2
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

Isaiah 54:10
Though the mountains may be removed and the hills may be shaken, My loving devotion will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. / They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Exodus 34:6
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

2 Samuel 7:15-16
But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. / Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever.”

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.


Treasury of Scripture

For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: your faithfulness shall you establish in the very heavens.

mercy

Psalm 36:5
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Nehemiah 1:5
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

faithfulness

Psalm 89:5,37
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints…

Psalm 119:89
LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalm 146:6
Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Jump to Previous
Age Built Declare Establish Established Faith Faithfulness Firm Forever Heaven Heavens Indeed Itself Kindness Love Mercy Stands Steadfast Strong Unchanging Wilt
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Age Built Declare Establish Established Faith Faithfulness Firm Forever Heaven Heavens Indeed Itself Kindness Love Mercy Stands Steadfast Strong Unchanging Wilt
Psalm 89
1. The psalmist praises God for his covenant
5. For his wonderful power
15. For the care of his church
19. For his favor to the kingdom of David
38. Then complaining of contrary events
46. He expostulates, prays, and blesses God.














For I have said
This phrase introduces a personal declaration or conviction. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "אָמַרְתִּי" (amarti), which is a form of the verb "to say" or "to speak." This indicates a deliberate and thoughtful expression of faith or belief. The psalmist is making a conscious decision to proclaim something significant, setting the tone for the rest of the verse. In the context of ancient Israel, such declarations were often made in public worship or personal devotion, emphasizing the importance of verbalizing one's faith.

Loving devotion
The Hebrew word here is "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which is often translated as "lovingkindness," "mercy," or "steadfast love." This term is rich with meaning, encompassing God's covenantal love and faithfulness. It is a central theme in the Old Testament, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to His people. In the historical context, "chesed" was a key aspect of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting His gracious and enduring love despite human unfaithfulness.

is built up forever
The phrase "is built up" comes from the Hebrew "יִבָּנֶה" (yibbaneh), which means to construct or establish. This suggests a process of growth and strengthening over time. The psalmist is affirming that God's loving devotion is not only enduring but also continually increasing and solidifying. The use of "forever" underscores the eternal nature of God's love, a concept that is foundational to the biblical understanding of God's character. This eternal aspect assures believers of the unchanging and perpetual nature of God's commitment to them.

in the heavens
The Hebrew word "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim) refers to the skies or the heavens. In biblical literature, the heavens are often depicted as the realm of God's presence and glory. By stating that God's faithfulness is established "in the heavens," the psalmist is emphasizing its divine origin and unassailable nature. This imagery conveys the idea that God's faithfulness is as vast and unchanging as the heavens themselves, offering believers a sense of security and hope.

You establish Your faithfulness
The word "establish" is translated from the Hebrew "תָּכִין" (takkin), which means to set up, prepare, or make firm. This indicates an active and intentional act by God to ensure the reliability and steadfastness of His promises. "Faithfulness" is derived from the Hebrew "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), which conveys the idea of trustworthiness and dependability. In the scriptural context, God's faithfulness is a cornerstone of His relationship with His people, assuring them that He will fulfill His promises and remain true to His word. This assurance of divine faithfulness is a source of comfort and encouragement for believers, reinforcing their trust in God's unchanging nature.

(2) Mercy . . . faithfulness.--These words, so often combined, express here, as commonly in the psalms, the attitude of the covenant God towards His people. The art of the poet is shown in this exordium. He strikes so strongly this note of the inviolability of the Divine promise only to make the deprecation of present neglect on God's part presently more striking.

Shall be built up for ever--Better, is for ever being built up. Elsewhere figured as a "place of shelter," a "tower of refuge," God's faithfulness is here presented as an edifice for ever rising on foundations laid in the heavens. (Comp. Psalm 119:89.) The heavens are at once the type of unchangeableness and of splendour and height. Mant's paraphrase brings out the power of the verse:--

"For I have said, Thy mercies rise,

A deathless structure, to the skies;

The heavens were planted by Thy hand,

And as the heavens Thy truth shall stand."

And Wordsworth has sung of Him:--

"Who fixed immovably the frame

Of the round world, and built by laws as strong

The solid refuge for distress, . . .

Verse 2. - For I have said, Mercy shall be built up forever. A time shall come when, out of whatever ruins, mercy shall be "built up" - raised from the ground like a solid edifice, and, when once raised up, shall stand firm forever. Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. At the same time, God's faithfulness to his promises will be established "in the very heavens," i.e. conspicuously (see ver. 37).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I have said,
אָמַ֗רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Loving devotion
חֶ֣סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

is built up
יִבָּנֶ֑ה (yib·bā·neh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

forever;
ע֭וֹלָם (‘ō·w·lām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

in the heavens
שָׁמַ֓יִם ׀ (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

You establish
תָּכִ֖ן (tā·ḵin)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

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


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OT Poetry: Psalm 89:2 I indeed declare Love stands firm forever (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 89:1
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