Psalm 103: 8 and Kindness
- רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן יְהוָה;
אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב-חָסֶד
οἰκτίρμων καὶ ἐλεήμων ὁ κύριος
μακρόθυμος καὶ πολυέλεος
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. KJV
- "Pitying and having mercy, the Lord,
patient and full of kindness."
It seems from the LXX as if "justice", "mercy" and "kindness" run into each other. I realize that in English we would keep these distinct.
In Gen. 20:13, Abraham asks Sarah to show him hesed and it is translated as δικαιοσύνη, "justice", but when Rahab and Ruth showed hesed, it was translated as ἔλεος - "mercy". Both of these are translated into English as "kindness". However, when God shows hesed, it is usually translated into English as "mercy". Only the Rotherham Bible has kindness for Psalm 103:8.
- Compassionate and gracious, is Yahweh, -
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness.