“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with חסד and tender mercies…” (Ps 103:3-4 NKJV)

Many biblical words such as mercy, compassion, love, grace, and faithfulness relate to the Hebrew word hesed (חֶסֶד), but none of these completely summaries the concept. Hesed is not merely an emotion or feeling but involves action on behalf of someone in need. Hesed describes a love and loyalty that inspires merciful and compassionate behaviour without reason or merit.

Hesed, found some 250 times in the Old Testament, expresses an essential part of God’s character. When God appeared to Moses to give the Law a second time, He described Himself as “abounding in” or “filled with” hesed, which is translated as “love and faithfulness,” “unfailing love,” “faithful love,” “steadfast love,” “grace” and “loyal love,” depending on the Bible version (Exodus 34:6–7). The core idea of this term communicates loyalty or faithfulness within a relationship. Thus, Hesed expresses God’s faithfulness to His people.

And in turn, we replicate that love, kindness and mercy to all those we can. “For by this shall all men know you are my disciples”