Precious Lovingkindness

Psalm 36:5-7, 10

“Your lovingkindness, O LORD (Jehovah), extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains…How precious is Your lovingkindness, O Lord God (Jesus)!”

O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.”

Derek Prince writes regarding Psalm 138:1-9 ~

“There’s one word repeated again and again. It’s lovingkindness.

The Hebrew word there is חֵסֵד, ‘chesed.’ That word has a very special meaning in the Hebrew language.

I believe the best way to interpret it is [Jehovah’s] covenant-keeping faithfulness.[Jehovah’s] lovingkindness is a particular aspect of the total character of [Jehovah, Father God], which means that when He makes a covenant (promise), He commits Himself to keep it.”

Lovingkindness (חֵסֵד); piety; favor, merciful (kindness), mercy. From Hebrew word חָסַד; to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to bestow; have mercy upon.

OT Know (יָדַע) meaning includes; acknowledge, acquainted with, appoint, have respect, comprehend, familiar friend (Abraham).

NT Know (γινώσκω) meaning includes; know absolutely: aware (feel) understand.

Precious (יָקָר); valuable: brightness (Light), costly. From יָקַר meaning; prized.

Upright (יָשָׁר יָשַׁר) meaning includes; straight. Figuratively: convenient, righteous, make right: take straight way (“I am the way”).

Cross Reference, James 2:23 ~

“…the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed Lord God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of Lord God.’”

Cross Reference, John 10:14,15 ~

“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father (LORD, Jehovah) knows Me (Angel of the LORD, Lord God; Jesus) and I know the Father…”

Cross Reference, Psalm 33:1-5 ~

“Sing for joy in the LORD (Jehovah), O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright…For the Word of the LORD is upright (Jesus), and all His [actions, sacrifice] are done in faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice; The [אֶרֶץ nations] are full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Cross Reference, Psalm 136:1:4-9 ~

“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting…”

Cross Reference, Psalm 103:11 ~

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear (יָרֵא; reverently worship) Him.”

Micah 6:8 ~

“And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness (mercy; lovingkindness) and to walk humbly (like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, & Prophets) with your Lord God (Jesus)…”

Justly (מִשְׁפָּט with root word שָׁפַט) meaning includes; to vindicate or punish; avenge, contend, defend.

Vindicate; free from allegation or blame, provide defense, to protect from attack.

Mercy (חֵסֵד); kindness: lovingkindness, merciful, pity.

Humbly (צָנַע); lowly.

This Hebrew word “humbly” in Micah 6:8 is applied only twice in OT Scriptures, telling me to pay close attention.

Cross Reference, Proverbs 11:2 ~

“When pride (arrogance, lacking respect) cometh, then cometh [קָלוֹן, dis-grace; confusion, dishonor]: but with the lowly is wisdom.”

Cross Reference, Matthew 11:29 ~

“Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I’m meek, lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls.”

Meek (πρᾴος); humble.

NT Lowly (ταπεινός); of low estate (Emmanuel, Word made flesh).

Heart (καρδία); figuratively thoughts or feeling (compassion).

Cross Reference, Colossians 1:15-19 ~

“He (Angel of the LORD, Word made flesh, Emmanuel; Jesus) is the [representation] of the invisible [Jehovah]…For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness (7 Spirits of Jehovah, Isaiah 11:2) to dwell throughout [Angel of the LORD, Emmanuel; Jesus].”

Jehovah’s lovingkindness is very precious, costly. His Son, Angel of the LORD, Emmanuel, paid the price in full with His shed blood, fulfilling the Law.

Let’s recall what Jesus told us, John 4:24 ~

“God (Jehovah; LORD) is Spirit.”

His beloved Apostle John wrote in his first letter ~

“God (Jehovah; LORD) is Love.” 

Now, let’s read the following passages regarding the Angel of the LORD in His humble, lowly estate as the Word made flesh.

1st Corinthians 13:4-7 ~

[Jesus] is patient, kind, rejoices with the Truth, bears always, believes always, hopes always, endures always, never fails!

These three continue eternally: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is [Jesus].” 

1st Corinthians 13:2 ~

“…if I do not have [Jesus], then I’m nothing.”

Amen.