The concept of God's loving-kindness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His enduring mercy, compassion, and steadfast love towards humanity. The Hebrew word often translated as "loving-kindness" is "chesed," which encompasses God's covenantal love and faithfulness. This divine attribute is a cause for praise and worship, as it reveals the depth of God's character and His unwavering commitment to His people.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's loving-kindness is frequently highlighted in the Psalms, where the psalmists express gratitude and praise for His merciful actions. Psalm 136 is a notable example, with each verse ending in the refrain, "His loving devotion endures forever." This psalm recounts God's mighty acts in creation and history, emphasizing that His loving-kindness is the foundation of His relationship with Israel.

Psalm 103:8-12 declares, "The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." Here, God's loving-kindness is linked to His forgiveness and mercy, providing a reason for believers to praise Him.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of God's loving-kindness in Lamentations 3:22-23 : "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" In the midst of suffering and despair, Jeremiah finds hope in the unchanging nature of God's loving-kindness.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the loving-kindness of God is most fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the ultimate expressions of God's love and mercy. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse encapsulates the essence of God's loving-kindness, offering salvation to all who believe.

The Apostle Paul frequently writes about God's loving-kindness in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:4-5 , he explains, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" Here, God's loving-kindness is associated with His grace, underscoring the unmerited favor bestowed upon believers.

Titus 3:4-5 further illustrates this theme: "But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's loving-kindness, which brings about spiritual renewal and salvation.

Response of Praise

The appropriate response to God's loving-kindness is praise and worship. Believers are called to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness, as seen in Psalm 107:8-9 : "Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." This call to praise is a recognition of God's provision and care, rooted in His loving-kindness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to live lives of gratitude, as expressed in Colossians 3:16-17 : "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This exhortation reflects the believer's response to God's loving-kindness, manifesting in a life of worship and thanksgiving.

The loving-kindness of God is a profound and enduring truth that invites believers to continually praise and glorify Him. Through His covenantal love, mercy, and grace, God reveals His heart for humanity, offering hope and salvation to all who turn to Him in faith.Psalm 92:2
To show forth your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 138:2
I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your loving kindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

LM Bryant. Loving-Kindness of God.
... Loving-Kindness of God. ... 4 Yet deem we not that thus alone, Thy mercy and Thy love
are shown; For we have learned, with higher praise, And holier names, to ...
/.../book of hymns for public and private devotion/78 l m bryant loving-kindness.htm

In his Other Psalms He Proceedeth to Speak of the Works of God ...
... sometimes stirring up all creatures to praise God for the ... things, even he shall
understand this lovingkindness of the Lord ... life we ought to lead with God in the ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/92 in his other psalms.htm

The Long-Suffering, Loving-Kindness, and Tender-Mercies of God. ...
... 8.8.8.8.8.8 James Montgomery. The Long-suffering, Loving-kindness, and Tender-mercies
of God."Psalm 103.p>. O my soul! ... Bless the Lord, His praise proclaim; ...
/.../sacred poems and hymns/hymn xlvii the long-suffering loving-kindness.htm

Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ...
... for it is a divine command which saith, Let every breath praise the Lord ... For if goodness
is an attribute of God; if loving-kindness, beneficence, almighty ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture vi concerning the unity.htm

Demonstrations by Syllogisms. That God the Word is Immutable.
... the whole to be summoned to give praise in the ... indicative not of mutation, but of
His unspeakable loving-kindness. ... the Word, and the Word was with God and the ...
/.../demonstrations by syllogisms that god.htm

The Mercy of God
... Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.' Psalm 103 ... You that have
been monuments of God's mercy, should be trumpets of praise; you that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

Mercy and Pity in the Judgment of God.
... life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender ... and with
delight contemplate the praise of mercy, that is, of the grace of God. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 59 mercy and pity in.htm

God's Goodness and Mercy
... PSALMS GOD'S GOODNESS AND MERCY. The Lord is gracious and merciful, Patient, and
full of loving-kindness. ... O Lord, And those who love thee praise thee, They ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/gods goodness and mercy.htm

But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications.. ...
... Hence David, on experiencing the loving-kindness of the Lord ... to make the right use
of his lovingkindness by being ... tongues proclaim the kindness of God, but they ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 28 but though prayer.htm

Nisibene Hymns. Hymn i. O God of Mercies who Didst Refresh Noah ...
... 1. O God of mercies Who didst refresh Noah, he ... peace, and their mouth hasted to open
in Thy praise. ... Let not the Evil One overcome Thy lovingkindness: seeing he ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/nisibene hymns hymn i o.htm

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