Day 9

More on Chesed: Not just an amazing word in the OT, but a fundamental word that is repeated constantly in the book of Psalms. Faithfulness(RSV) or truth (KJV) blends with steadfast love (chesed) to become the attribute of God’s fidelity to every obligation under which He has come – faithfulness to promise. Our salvation rests on promise. This is His character. Faithfulness will last as long as God himself does! In Psalms Chesed belongs to Covenant. While we may waver, He will not. 

Why would we not reverence such a God! Why would we not bow down and worship (Psalm 95:6) him who “made heaven and earth the sea and all that is in them” Exodus 20:11 Wait a minute – there it is! ‘Chesed in Exodus 20:6 – embodied in the 10 commandments! 

How significant that Psalm 85:10 says “lovingkindness NASB (chesed) and faithfulness have met together” and are inseparably blended – they have “kissed each other.” Paul said that God, “can be just and yet the justifier of them who have faith in Jesus.” Rom 3: 26. A marriage of eternal consequence! 

God displays ‘chesed’ in making promises(Covenants) and exhibits truth or faithfulness (KJV/RSV) in fulfilling them. Both truth and faithfulness meet in the covenant, at the incarnation, and on the cross. Both meet in the conversion of sinners and both will be perfected when the saints reach heaven. 

‘Chesed’ without faithfulness would be powerless just like truth without grace would be legalism, but together they tell us that God can justify the sinner because His justice has been satisfied by His grace. 

Remember these words that Yahweh spoke to Moses from the cloud on the mount, after the first set of tables of stone had been smashed (there’s a message there); 

“The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Chesed) and faithfulness, ⁷ keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” Exodus 34:6 & 7 RSV 

It is a rich and amazing word! It is my favourite word in the OT! The book of Psalms is salted with the word.