- Chesed and Mercies
Psalm 69:16
Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good:
Turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
Chesed = translated “lovingkindness, steadfast love, faithful love, commitment,” means that God out of his central characteristic, love, made a covenant with his people and, out of love and commitment to his covenant, He guarantees he will keep his covenant promises.
Lovingkindness and tender mercies are not only attributes of God’s character, they are also promises of God; they are guarantees. Because of these promises of lovingkindness and mercy I can rest assured that the Lord will hear me and turn to me. I know without a doubt that God is hearing my prayers and responding to my life condition according to His love and His good and perfect will.
The essential Gospel Promise of Love and Grace (chesed and tender mercies) is vital to our soul’s life and wellbeing. Without this precious promise we could not live well; indeed, without the general grace promise of God for all living things no one would take another breath. But specifically, for you and me it is essential to our spiritual life to take this promise to heart: it matters to the good life that we know that God hears us and turns to us. God is good and kind; therefore life is good.