“Tender Mercies”

For the past several days I’ve been thinking about a few attributes of God I’ve come across in my reading of Psalm 119:  “tender mercies,” “lovingkindness,” and “faithfulness.”  Today I’d like to share just one.

In verse 77, the psalmist writes, “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.”

The word “tender mercies” here is literally  translated to I. Womb and II. Compassion.  Strong’s concordance defines it as compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the unborn baby), bowels, compassions, tender love, mercy, pity.  It is from the root word “racham” which is defined “to love, love deeply, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion.”

I let that definition roll around in my head for a while, and came up with this:  “tender mercies” are likened unto the love and wonder, awe and protection a pregnant mother feels for her unborn baby.  Not only that, but it is like the womb which provides protection, comfort, security, nourishment and blood supply, to the forming child.  God loves US like that!

Do you know the song, “How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” by Stuart Townsend?  here’s a link to his website for the lyrics.  http://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/how-deep-the-fathers-love-for-us/

That song just kept going over and over in my mind.  Think about this amazing thought.  He loves you like a mother cherishes her child.  Like you love your child.  (But so so much more!)  Psalm 103:3 “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”