barmherzig – merciful, compassionate
IPA: [baʁmˈhɛʁʦɪç], [baʁmˈhɛʁʦɪk]
Etymology: Middle High German barmherze(c), Old High German barmherzi, with the influence of: irbarmen (erbarmen – compassion/pity) from the older armherzi, from (church) Latin misericors (compassionate), Literally, (having) a heart for the poor.[1]
Mitfühlend, mildtätig gegenüber Notleidenden; Verständnis für die Not anderer zeigend.[1]
Compassionate, benevolent towards those in need; showing understanding for the plight of others
Psalm 116,5 Gnädig ist Jehova und gerecht, und unser Gott ist barmherzig.
Psalms 116:5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
I was reading Psalms 116 as part of my devotion the other day and came across this verse.
Yes, this is the psalm that contains this famous verse (Psalms 116:15): Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
I think there are many, many verses in the Bible that talk about God’s grace and mercy towards us undeserving sinners.
We are His enemies, the ones that broke His divine law. He created us, yet we rebelled. And yet, He loves us enough that He sent Christ to die for us (John 3:16).
Yet even those who are saved, we grieve Him every day with our sin. Still, He extends His mercy to us poor sinners.
I know the definition talks about the “poor”, and I am sure that the intention was for the poor in terms of material wealth. However, we are all spiritually “poor” without God as well, since we have been corrupted by sin.
Just as I was writing this, Lamentations 3:22 and 23 came to mind:
Klagelieder 3,22.23 Es sind die Gütigkeiten Jehovas, daß wir nicht aufgerieben sind; denn seine Erbarmungen sind nicht zu Ende; sie sind alle Morgen neu, deine Treue ist groß.
Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
I am reminded every single day of my failures. I know that in my own strength I cannot keep the law. God understands our weaknesses, and so He is patient.
But there will be a day when judgment will come, and then it would be too late to repent and trust God. Or maybe even sooner, if death should come first.
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