13 Just as a father loves his children,

So the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].

15 But You, O Lord, are a God [who protects and is] merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

22 It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed,

Because His [tender] compassions never fail. [Mal 3:6]

23 They are new every morning;

Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. [Is 33:2]

15 [The Lord answered] "Can a woman forget her nursing child

And have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

16 "Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the *palms of My hands;

Your city walls [Zion] are continually before Me.

18 Therefore the Lord waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you,

And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

*For the Lord is a God of justice;

Blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them]. [John 14:3, 27; 2 Cor 12:9; Heb 12:2; 1 John 3:16; Rev 3:5]

18 Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness

And passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness.

6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah [making it superior],

And I will save the house of Joseph.

I will bring them back [and allow them to live securely],

Because I have had compassion on them.

They will be as though I had not rejected them,

For I am the Lord their God, and I will listen and answer them.

9 "Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion, to each other; 10 and do not oppress or exploit the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise or even imagine evil in your hearts against one another.’

12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];

32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave *you.

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit;

17 But whoever has the *world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?

3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].

11 Finally, believers, rejoice! Be made complete [be what you should be], be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace [enjoy the spiritual well-being experienced by believers who walk closely with God]; and the God of love and peace [the source of lovingkindness] will be with you.