Mercy

How Nave’s arranged it

• General scriptures concerning2 Samuel 22:26Psalms 18:25Psalms 37:25Psalms 37:26Psalms 85:10Proverbs 3:3Proverbs 3:4Proverbs 11:17Proverbs 12:10Proverbs 14:21Proverbs 14:22Proverbs 14:31Proverbs 20:28Proverbs 21:21Hosea 4:1Hosea 12:6Micah 6:8Matthew 5:7Matthew 23:23Luke 6:36
• See God, Mercy of
• See Kindness
• INSTANCES OF
• The prison keeper, to JosephGenesis 39:21–23
• Joshua to RahabJoshua 6:25
• The Israelites to the man of Beth-elJudges 1:23–26
• David to Saul1 Samuel 24:10–131 Samuel 24:17

The passages, in Bible order (29)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 39:21–23

   the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 39:21–232 voices

   “But the Lord was with Joseph and shewed him mercy. God despiseth not his prisoners, Psalm lxix, 33. No gates nor bars can shut out his gracious presence from his people.

   “But why would it be surprising if Christ visits those in prison, since he himself mentioned being imprisoned in his own words, as it is written: "I was in prison, and you did not visit me." Where does divine mercy not penetrate? Joseph found such favor that he, who had been locked in prison, would keep the doors of the prison himself, granted the duty of jailer, and entrusted all the prisoners to his authority. Therefore, Joseph not only did not feel the prison, but also alleviated the suffering of the other prisoners.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 39:21–23→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Joshua 6:25

   And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day.

   ›Commentary on Joshua 6:252 voices

   “The harlot olive - For that general command of rooting out the Canaanites seems to have had some exception, in case any of them had sincerely and seasonably cast off their wickedness, and submitted to the Israelites.

   “Even unto this day - These words are rightly noted as implying that the narrative was written not long after the occurrences which it records.

   Everything gathered on Joshua 6:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Judges 1:23–26

   They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz),

   ›Commentary on Judges 1:23–261 voice

   “And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel,.... To reconnoitre the place, to observe its passes and avenues, which were most accessible, and to examine the walls of it, where they were weakest and least defended: now the name of the city before was Luz; which signifies a "nut"; perhaps it was so called from large numbers of nut trees which grew near it; the Jews suggest as if it was like a nut, no entrance into it but through a cave or some subterraneous passage, see Gen 28:19.

   Everything gathered on Judges 1:23–26→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. 1 Samuel 24:10–13

   Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:10–131 voice

   “Saul, therefore, came out of the cave unaware of what had happened, wearing the little garment which had been trimmed all around. David came out behind him in self-assurance, and having seized the hill lying above the cave in advance, held out the end [of Saul's robe] in his hand. This was nothing other than a bloodless trophy against his enemies.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 24:10–13→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. 1 Samuel 24:17

   and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.

   ›Commentary on 1 Samuel 24:172 voices

   “Not even this act of benevolence moved Saul, however. Again he gathered an army and again he set out in pursuit, until he was a second time apprehended by David in the cave where he more clearly revealed his own iniquity and made the virtue of David even more resplendent. Envy is the most savage form of hatred. Favors render those who are hostile to us for any other reason more tractable, but kind treatment shown to an envious and spiteful person only aggravates his dislike.

   “He should have said, Thou are righteous, but I am wicked; but the utmost he will own is this: Thou art more righteous than I. Bad men will commonly go no further than this in their confessions; they will own they are not so good as some others are; there are those that are better than they, and more righteous.

   Everything gathered on 1 Samuel 24:17→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. 2 Samuel 22:26

   To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Psalms 18:25

   To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless;

   ›Commentary on Psalms 18:251 voice

   “Therefore, O bishop, together with your subordinate clergy, endeavor rightly to divide the Word of truth. For the Lord says, "If you walk cross-grained to me, I will walk cross-grained to you." … Walk therefore in holiness, that you may rather appear worthy of praise from the Lord than of complaint from the adversary.

   Everything gathered on Psalms 18:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Psalms 37:25

   I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

   ›Commentary on Psalms 37:251 voice

   “If you take it at face value, the meaning is obvious: in his own lifetime, David never saw the just forsaken. But a lifespan is brief, and the statement is moreover incredible. We have seen plenty of just people in this world who have been forsaken by people as soon as those just ones are persecuted by people in power. No one dares to go near them so long as they are subject to fear and injury.

   Everything gathered on Psalms 37:25→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Psalms 37:26

   They are ever generous and quick to lend, and their children are a blessing.

   ›Commentary on Psalms 37:262 voices

   “(Verse 26.) But how can he be in need who has mercy and lends all day? What is it that the righteous person lends? Not bronze, not iron, not lead, but silver purified by fire. He brings this to the table of the Lord, and distributes it to those who seek it: to one person, to two, to five minas daily he distributes, and it never runs out. But we have heard that lending at interest is condemned in the Law, with Moses saying: You shall not lend at interest (Deuteronomy 23:19).

   “He is ever merciful, and lendeth. The righteous are constantly under generous impulses; they do not prosper through parsimony, but through bounty. Like the bounteous giver of all good, of whom they are the beloved sons, they delight in doing good. How stingy covetous professors can hope for salvation is a marvel to those who read such verses as this in the Bible. And his seed is blessed. God pays back with interest in the next generation.

   Everything gathered on Psalms 37:26→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Psalms 85:10

    Loving devotion and faithfulness have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.

    ›Commentary on Psalms 85:102 voices

    “Mercy and truth are met together. In answer to prayer, the exulting psalmist sees the attributes of God confederating to bless the once afflicted nation. Mercy comes hand in hand with Truth to fulfil the faithful promise of their gracious God; the people recognise at once the grace and the veracity of Jehovah, he is to them neither a tyrant nor a deceiver. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. The Lord whose just severity inflicted the smart, now in pity sends peace to bind up the wound.

    “God's promises of "mercy" will be verified by His "truth" (compare Ps 25:10; 40:10); and the "work of righteousness" in His holy government shall be "peace" (Isa 32:17). There is an implied contrast with a dispensation under which God's truth sustains His threatened wrath, and His righteousness inflicts misery on the wicked.

    Everything gathered on Psalms 85:10→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Proverbs 3:3

    Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

    ›Commentary on Proverbs 3:31 voice

    “The two elements of a morally perfect character: (1) “Mercy,” shutting out all forms of selfishness and hate. (2) “Truth,” shutting out all deliberate falsehood, all hypocrisy, conscious or unconscious. The words that follow possibly refer to the Eastern custom of writing sacred names on pieces of papyrus or parchment, and wearing them around the neck, as charms and talismans against evil. Compare, however, 1Pe 3:3-4.

    Everything gathered on Proverbs 3:3→

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Proverbs 3:4

    Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

    ›Commentary on Proverbs 3:41 voice

    “So shall thou find favour,.... Or "grace" (i); the grace of God, and larger measures of it; as Noah did, Gen 6:8; which are communicated to men when in the way of their duty: or good will, esteem, and respect, among men; as Joseph had with Potiphar, and the keeper of the prison, Gen 39:4; and good understanding in the sight of God and man; as Christ, as man, had in the sight of both, Luk 2:52; that is, to be taken notice of, regarded, and approved by both.

    Everything gathered on Proverbs 3:4→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Proverbs 11:17

    A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.

    ›Commentary on Proverbs 11:172 voices

    Prayer rises up quickly to the ears of God when lifted up by the recommendation of [alms and fasting]. Since, as it has been written, "the merciful man benefits his own soul," nothing belongs to each individual more than what has been spent on one's neighbor. Part of those physical resources which are used to help the poor become transformed into eternal riches. Born from this generosity are funds which will not be able to be diminished through use nor damaged through decay. "Blessed are the merciful, for God will have mercy on them."

    The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, “He frets his flesh off his bones.”

    Everything gathered on Proverbs 11:17→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Proverbs 12:10

    A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

    ›Commentary on Proverbs 12:101 voice

    “But the compassion of the wicked is cruel. Who not only do not sympathize with those under them, but also, according to what the Lord says: Beat the male and female servants, saying, My master is delayed in coming (Luke XII).

    Everything gathered on Proverbs 12:10→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Proverbs 14:21

    He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Proverbs 14:22

    Do not those who contrive evil go astray? But those who plan goodness find loving devotion and faithfulness.

    Verse page →Original language →