Mercy

Good Morning!

My daughter-in-law, Katherine, posted the following on facebook Monday.

Psalm 116

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.

mer•cy (mûr s )
n. pl. mer•cies
1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.
2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.
3. Something for which to be thankful; a blessing: It was a mercy that no one was hurt.
4. Alleviation of distress; relief: Taking in the refugees was an act of mercy.
Idiom:
at the mercy of
Without any protection against; helpless before: drifting in an open boat, at the mercy of the elements.
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[Middle English, from Old French merci, from Medieval Latin merc s, from Latin, reward.]
Synonyms: mercy, leniency, lenity, clemency, charity
These nouns mean humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment of or disposition toward others. Mercy is compassionate forbearance: "We hand folks over to God's mercy, and show none ourselves" (George Eliot).
Leniency and lenity imply mildness, gentleness, and often a tendency to reduce punishment: "When you have gone too far to recede, do not sue [appeal] to me for leniency" (Charles Dickens). "His Majesty gave many marks of his great lenity, often . . . endeavoring to extenuate your crimes" (Jonathan Swift).
Clemency is mercy shown by someone with judicial authority: The judge believed in clemency for youthful offenders.
Charity is goodwill and benevolence in judging others: "But how shall we expect charity towards others, when we are uncharitable to ourselves?" (Thomas Browne).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

As you can see, there are a number of ways that the word “mercy” can be used. In the context of this Psalm, the Psalmist is either being thankful for the compassionate treatment of the Lord or thankful for the alleviation of distress – or both. The fact is that he cried – God heard – mercy was extended.

One of the problems men face … and some ladies, too … is the compulsion to try to “fix” things without involving anyone else. And then we get ourselves in a pickle … and then we get upset (Miss N can tell you many horror stories about my reaction to frustration) … and we get really in need of mercy. It seems the Psalmist has decided to call on God for the problem he faces. And God HEARD his cry and EXTENDED mercy to him. I am so thankful that God does that …

If we read on in this Psalm, we see the thankfulness is for the Psalmist’s salvation. We may tackle the rest of the Psalm on another day. But today I want to let you know that God does hear your cry in your time of need. Several of you have provided me the privilege of hearing your need … and it is a privilege to be allowed into the depths of one’s heartache. I just want you to know that God is attentive to your hurt … and is merciful in His answers – even when the problem doesn’t go away. Our God is truly a Father who hears our cry and extends mercy.

Agape’


Mr. Jim