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Mercy and Judgment in Divine Providence

Divine providence encompasses God's preservation and governance of all things, extending to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of humanity and individuals [5, 6]. This includes both God's mercy and his judgment, which are integral aspects of his character and his interaction with creation [2, 9].

Mercy, in the context of divine providence, is a perfection of God's character exercised towards his creatures, particularly in response to their miseries [4]. It is described in scripture as great, rich, manifold, plenteous, abundant, sure, everlasting, and tender [2]. The prophet one tradition states that God delights in mercy (Micah 7:18), and it is manifested in various ways, including the sending of Christ [2]. God's mercy is not merely a passive attribute but an active disposition, renewed "every morning" (Lamentations 3:23) and extending "high as heaven" (Psalm 36:5) [2]. It fills the earth and is "over all his works" (Psalm 145:9) [2].

The concept of God's mercy is often linked with his loving-kindness. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 25:6, interprets "tender mercies and loving kindnesses" not as merely providential care but as the "special mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ," noting the plural forms indicate its "largeness and abundance" [13]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown highlight "loving kindness" as being placed "in the first and highest place" in Jeremiah 9:24, suggesting that without it, humanity would "flee from God in fear and despair" [15].

Judgment, on the other hand, is also a fundamental aspect of God's character and his providential rule [9]. The Psalms declare, "The Lord will be judge of the peoples" (Psalm 7:8, BBE) [8], and "Dominus judicat populos" (Psalm 7:9, DRC) [1]. God's righteousness is the "habitation of his throne" (Psalm 97:2) and is exhibited in his testimonies, commandments, judgments, word, and ways [9]. His judgments are described as "very high," "abundant," "beyond computation," "everlasting," and "enduring for ever" [9].

The interplay between mercy and judgment is a recurring theme in scripture. Proverbs 21:3 states that "to do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims" [3]. This suggests that active demonstration of these qualities is more valuable to God than ritualistic sacrifices. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 101:1, notes that David chose to "sing of mercy and judgment," interpreting this as referring to "God's mercy and judgment" in his dispensations of providence [14]. John Gill offers a similar interpretation, suggesting it refers either to mercy and justice exercised by a ruler, which are "two very principal points in government," or to God's mercy in delivering David and his judgment in avenging him [16].

God's providence extends to ordering the ways of men (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21) and bringing his words to pass [6]. This divine governance includes both the preservation and provision for his creatures, as well as the special preservation, prosperity, protection, and deliverance of saints [6]. Waiting upon God is presented as an act of trust in his providence, whether for mercy, pardon, salvation, guidance, protection, or the fulfillment of his word and promises [7].

The relationship between mercy and judgment is not one of opposition but rather of complementary aspects of God's moral perfection [4]. Easton's Bible Dictionary explains that "goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection" [4]. God is not sometimes good and sometimes just, but both simultaneously and consistently [4].

In the New Testament, this dynamic is further explored. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, emphasizes the importance of human mercy in the face of divine judgment. On Luke 6:37, he interprets "Judge not" as God's willingness to "put our judgment into our own hands" by not judging us if we do not usurp his right to judge others [10]. He further states that mercy should incline believers "not to condemn those unmercifully whose faults are certain and visible" [10]. Clarke also notes on James 2:13 that "he who shows no mercy to man... shall receive no mercy at the hand of God," and that "Mercy rejoiceth against judgment," meaning the merciful person is not afraid of judgment [12]. This highlights a reciprocal relationship: those who show mercy will receive mercy.

God's sovereign right to dispense mercy is also affirmed. In Romans 9:15, Paul quotes Exodus 33:19: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Adam Clarke interprets this as God's right "to dispense his blessings as he pleases," demonstrated by his sparing the Jews despite their idolatry [11]. This illustrates that God's mercy is not earned but freely given according to his will.

Sources

  1. Psalms “Dominus judicat populos. Judica me, Domine, secundum justitiam meam, et secundum innocentiam meam super me. -- Psalms 7:9”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6,7; Ps 62:12; Ne 9:17; Jon 4:2,10,11; 2Co 1:3. Described as Great. -- Nu 14:18; Isa 54:7. Rich. -- Eph 2:4. Manifold. -- Ne 9:27; La 3:32. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:5,15; 103:8. Abundant. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure. -- Isa 55:3; Mic 7:20. Everlasting. -- 1Ch 16:34; Ps 89:28; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1-26. Tender. -- Ps 25:6; 103:4; Lu 1:78. New every morning. -- La 3:23. High as heaven. -- Ps 36:5; 103:11. Filling the earth. -- Ps 119:64. Over all his works. -- Ps 145:9. Is his delight -- Mic 7:18. Manifested In the sending of Christ. ”
  3. Proverbs “Proverbs 21:3 (DRC) — To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Waiting Upon God — As the God of providence -- Jer 14:22. As the God of salvation -- Ps 25:5. As the Giver of all temporal blessings -- Ps 104:27,28; Ps 145:15,16. For Mercy. -- Ps 123:2. Pardon. -- Ps 39:7,8. The consolation of Israel. -- Lu 2:25. Salvation. -- Ge 49:18; Ps 62:1,2. Guidance and teaching. -- Ps 25:5. Protection. -- Ps 33:20; 59:9,10. The fulfillment of His word. -- Hab 2:3. The fulfillment of His promises. -- Ac 1:4. Hope of righteous by faith. -- Ga 5:5. Coming of Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 1Th 1:10. Is good -- Ps 52:9. God calls us to -- Zep 3:8. Exhortat”
  8. Psalms “Psalms 7:8 (BBE) — The Lord will be judge of the peoples; give a decision for me, O Lord, because of my righteousness, and let my virtue have its reward.”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
  10. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 6:37: Judge not - See on Mat 7:1 (note). "How great is the goodness of God, in being so willing to put our judgment into our own hands as to engage himself not to enter into judgment with us, provided we do not usurp the right which belongs solely to him in reference to others!" Condemn not - "Mercy will ever incline us not to condemn those unmercifully whose faults are certain and visible; to lessen, conceal, and excuse them as much as we can without prejudice to truth and justice; and to be far from aggravating, divulging, or even desiring them to be punished." Forgive - ”
  11. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 9:15: For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy, etc. - The words of God to Moses, Exo 33:19, show that God has a right to dispense his blessings as he pleases; for, after he had declared that he would spare the Jews of old, and continue them in the relation of his peculiar people, when they had deserved to have been cut off for their idolatry, he said: I will make all my goodness pass before thee; and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. As if he had sa”
  12. James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 2:13: For he shall have judgment - He who shows no mercy to man, or, in other words, he who does not exercise himself in works of charity and mercy to his needy fellow creatures, shall receive no mercy at the hand of God; for he hath said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The unmerciful therefore are cursed, and they shall obtain no mercy. Mercy rejoiceth against judgment - These words are variously understood. 1. Mercy, the merciful man, the abstract for the concrete, exults over judgment, that is, he is not afraid of it, having acted according to th”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:6: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses,.... Not the providential mercy and kindness of God, in the care of him in his mother's womb, at the time of his birth, in his nurture and education, and in the preservation of him to the present time; but the special mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ: the sense of the petition is the same with that of Psa 106:4; which are expressed in the plural number, because of the largeness and abundance of it, and because of the various acts and instances of it; the Lord is rich and plenteous in mercy, abundant”
  14. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 101:1: David here cuts out to himself and others a pattern both of a good magistrate and a good master of a family; and, if these were careful to discharge the duty of their place, it would contribute very much to a universal reformation. Observe, I. The chosen subject of the psalm (Psa 101:1): I will sing of mercy and judgment, that is, 1. Of God's mercy and judgment, and then it looks back upon the dispensations of Providence concerning David since he was first anointed to be king, during which time he had met with many a rebuke and much hardship on the one hand, and ”
  15. Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 9:24: Nothing but an experimental knowledge of God will save the nation. understandeth--theoretically; in the intellect. knoweth--practically: so as to walk in My ways (Jer 22:16; Job 22:21; Co1 1:31). loving kindness--God's mercy is put in the first and highest place, because without it we should flee from God in fear and despair. judgment . . . righteousness--loving-kindness towards the godly; judgment towards the ungodly; righteousness the most perfect fairness in all cases [GROTIUS]. Faithfulness to His promises to preserve the godly, as well a”
  16. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 101:1: I will sing of mercy and judgment,.... Either of mercy and justice, exercised by him towards his people, which he resolved to do, and did, Sa2 8:15 which are two very principal points in government, are the glory of a reign, the support of the throne, and the happiness of a people, Pro 20:28, or rather of the mercy of God to himself, in delivering him from his enemies, and raising him to the throne; and of the judgment of God in maintaining his cause, and avenging him on those that hated him: every good man has reason to sing of the "mercy" of God; not only of his pr”
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