What Does the Bible Say About Mercy — In Biblical Context
Mercy is God's compassionate withholding of deserved punishment, demonstrated supremely at the cross and expected of all believers.
Mercy is God's compassionate withholding of deserved punishment, demonstrated supremely at the cross and expected of all believers.
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Mercy is central to God's character. He describes Himself as 'merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth' (Exodus 34:6). Unlike grace (giving what we don't deserve), mercy is not giving us what we do deserve. God's mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus embodied mercy through healing, forgiving, and dying for sinners. He taught that the merciful will receive mercy (Matthew 5:7) and told the parable of the unmerciful servant as a warning (Matthew 18:21-35). James writes that 'mercy rejoiceth against judgment' (James 2:13). Believers are called to show mercy to others as God has shown mercy to them.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Lamentations 3:22-23, sits inside Lamentations 3. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Supporting Passages
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)"
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
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