Psalms 116:5

KJV

Gracious [is] the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God [is] merciful.

KJV (with Strong's)

Gracious {H2587} is the LORD {H3068}, and righteous {H6662}; yea, our God {H430} is merciful {H7355}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI is merciful and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

American Standard Version

Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 116:5 stands as a profound theological declaration within a deeply personal psalm of thanksgiving, articulating the foundational attributes of God that inspire the psalmist's unwavering trust and profound gratitude. Following a vivid account of miraculous deliverance from the brink of death, this verse succinctly yet powerfully summarizes the divine character as inherently gracious, righteous, and merciful. It provides the essential theological rationale for *why* the LORD is worthy of absolute reliance, grounding divine intervention and covenant faithfulness not in human merit, but in His unchanging, benevolent, and just nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 116 is a fervent psalm of individual thanksgiving, a deeply personal hymn likely offered by one who has experienced profound distress and God's miraculous intervention. The psalmist opens by declaring his deep affection for the LORD because "he hath heard my voice and my supplications" ([Psalm 116:1](/psalms/116-1 "Psalm 116:1 - God Hears Prayer")). The preceding verses vividly recount the psalmist's near-death experience, where "the sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow" ([Psalm 116:3](/psalms/116-3 "Psalm 116:3 - The Pains of Death and the Grave")). In this dire situation, he cried out to the LORD for deliverance, specifically invoking His name ([Psalm 116:4](/psalms/116-4 "Psalm 116:4 - Crying Out to the LORD for Deliverance")). Verse 5, therefore, functions as the theological explanation for *why* God answered such a desperate plea, providing the divine rationale for the psalmist's salvation and laying the groundwork for the subsequent vows of praise, sacrifice, and faithful service that permeate the remainder of [Psalm 116](/psalms/116 "Psalm 116 - A Psalm of Thanksgiving for Deliverance").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The language of Psalm 116 resonates deeply with the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, a relationship frequently defined by God's steadfast love (חֶסֶד, *hesed*) and faithfulness. In ancient Israelite culture, the attributes of God were not merely abstract concepts but living realities that shaped their understanding of history, law, and personal experience. The combination of "gracious," "righteous," and "merciful" was a well-established theological formula, echoing God's self-revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai in [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD's Self-Revelation to Moses"). This formula underscored God's character as both perfectly just and profoundly compassionate, a unique blend that distinguished the God of Israel from the capricious and often amoral deities of surrounding pagan nations. The psalmist's experience of deliverance, therefore, was understood not as a random stroke of luck but as a direct manifestation of these inherent divine qualities, confirming God's active involvement and benevolent disposition towards His covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 116:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **character of God** as the ultimate basis for faith and trust. God's attributes of grace, righteousness, and mercy are not situational or earned, but intrinsic to His being, ensuring His reliability and benevolent disposition in all circumstances. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **answered prayer and divine deliverance**, emphasizing that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, particularly those in distress, not because of their worthiness but because of His compassionate nature, as seen in the psalmist's testimony in [Psalm 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalm 18:6 - God Hears from His Temple"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **covenant faithfulness of God**, portraying Him as one who consistently upholds His promises and acts in accordance with His revealed character, providing a secure foundation for Israel's hope. This understanding naturally fosters profound **gratitude and worship**, leading the psalmist to exclaim, "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" ([Psalm 116:12](/psalms/116-12 "Psalm 116:12 - What Shall I Render to the LORD?")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gracious (Hebrew, _channûwn'_):** This term (H2587), derived from the root חָנַן (*ḥanan*), signifies an inherent disposition to bestow unmerited favor, kindness, and benevolence. It describes God's free and willing generosity, His inclination to give without obligation or prior merit from the recipient. This grace is the wellspring of all blessings, including salvation and deliverance, demonstrating God's inherent goodness and compassionate nature. It emphasizes God's active desire to show favor, especially to those who are weak, needy, or undeserving.
* **Righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** This word (H6662), from the root צָדַק (*ṣadaq*), refers to God's perfect moral integrity, His adherence to His own holy standards, and His unwavering justice. God always acts in accordance with what is right and true, upholding His promises, judgments, and covenant obligations without partiality or deviation. His righteousness ensures that His actions are always trustworthy and His ways are always upright, providing a stable moral universe. It does not contradict His grace or mercy but rather provides the holy framework within which they operate, ensuring His benevolence is never arbitrary.
* **Merciful (Hebrew, _râcham'_):** This term (H7355), a primitive root, conveys a deep, visceral compassion, pity, and tenderness, often likened to a parent's profound affection and empathy for their child (related to the word for "womb," רֶחֶם, *reḥem*). God's mercy is His active compassion that moves Him to alleviate the distress, suffering, or shortcomings of His people. It signifies His willingness to forgive, to relieve affliction, and to show clemency, especially towards the vulnerable and those in need of His intervention. This attribute is frequently paired with "gracious" in biblical descriptions of God's character, emphasizing His active, benevolent care and tenderheartedness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Gracious [is] the LORD":** This opening clause immediately establishes Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as fundamentally characterized by His inherent willingness to extend unmerited favor and kindness. This grace is not earned but freely given, forming the very basis for His relationship with His people and His acts of deliverance. It highlights His benevolence and generosity as a core, unchanging aspect of His being, setting the tone for the psalmist's gratitude.
* **"and righteous;":** Following "gracious," the addition of "righteous" affirms God's perfect justice and moral integrity. This ensures that His grace is not arbitrary or indulgent but is extended within the bounds of His holy character. God's righteousness means He always acts consistently with His own just standards, upholding truth and fulfilling His promises. This attribute assures believers that God is utterly trustworthy and His ways are always upright, providing a secure and dependable foundation for faith in His dealings.
* **"yea, our God [is] merciful.":** The final clause, "our God [is] merciful," intensifies the preceding attributes and emphasizes God's deep compassion and tenderheartedness. The phrase "our God" personalizes this truth, making it a direct affirmation of the psalmist's intimate experience and relationship with the divine. This mercy (Hebrew _rachum_) speaks to God's profound empathy and His active desire to relieve suffering and forgive shortcomings, often likened to the tender love of a parent for their child. It underscores God's willingness to intervene with compassion on behalf of the afflicted, solidifying His character as both just and profoundly loving.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 116:5 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Triadic Structure**, where three distinct but complementary divine attributes—gracious, righteous, and merciful—are presented. This threefold declaration creates a sense of completeness and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of God's character, providing a comprehensive summary of His benevolence and justice. Furthermore, the verse exhibits **Synonymous Parallelism**, particularly between "Gracious [is] the LORD" and "our God [is] merciful," where the second phrase reiterates and deepens the sentiment of the first, albeit with a slightly different emphasis on the tender aspect of divine compassion. The inclusion of "righteous" acts as a crucial balancing element, ensuring that God's grace and mercy are understood within the framework of His perfect justice. The use of **Divine Epithets** ("the LORD," "our God") reinforces the specific identity of the God being praised, tying these universal attributes to the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh, who personally intervenes in the lives of His people. This concise yet rich description functions as a **Theological Summary**, encapsulating the essence of God's benevolent and just nature, which underpins the psalmist's entire testament of thanksgiving and provides the bedrock for all divine action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 116:5 encapsulates the very essence of God's revealed character, echoing a foundational theological confession repeated throughout the Old Testament. These three attributes—gracious, righteous, and merciful—are not isolated qualities but work in perfect harmony, revealing a God who is both perfectly just and infinitely compassionate. His grace initiates salvation, His righteousness ensures the integrity of His covenant and judgments, and His mercy provides the tender compassion that alleviates suffering and forgives sin. This divine balance assures believers that God's actions are always rooted in His unchanging nature, providing a secure foundation for trust, prayer, and worship. The psalmist's experience of deliverance is thus presented as a direct outflow of this inherent divine character, demonstrating God's consistent faithfulness to those who call upon His name.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "The LORD's Self-Revelation to Moses")
* [Nehemiah 9:17](/nehemiah/9-17 "God's Patience and Abundant Mercy")
* [Psalm 103:8](/psalms/103-8 "The LORD is Merciful and Gracious")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Understanding the profound truth of Psalm 116:5 has transformative implications for our faith and daily walk. To truly grasp that the LORD is inherently gracious, righteous, and merciful provides an unshakable foundation for trust, especially when life's trials threaten to overwhelm us with fear, doubt, or despair. This verse encourages us to approach God with bold confidence, not presuming upon our own worthiness, but relying solely on His magnificent and unchanging character. It reminds us that His disposition towards us is one of unmerited favor and tender compassion, even when we fall short of His perfect standards or find ourselves in dire straits. This knowledge should naturally cultivate a deep sense of gratitude, mirroring the psalmist's heartfelt thanksgiving, and motivate us to live lives that reflect these divine attributes—grace, justice, and mercy—to a world desperately in need of God's character. Ultimately, this verse calls us to rest in God's unchanging nature, knowing that His faithfulness and love are the bedrock of our hope and salvation, inspiring both worship and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "gracious, righteous, and merciful" impact your trust in Him during times of personal distress or uncertainty?**
* **In what specific ways have you experienced God's grace, righteousness, or mercy in your own life recently, and how did you recognize it?**
* **How can you, as a recipient of God's character, better reflect grace, righteousness, and mercy in your interactions with others today, particularly those who may be struggling?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of prayer, and how does it encourage you to pray with greater confidence and honesty, knowing God's disposition?**

### FAQ
**How do God's attributes of grace, righteousness, and mercy relate to each other, and are they ever in tension?**

Answer: These three attributes, while distinct, are perfectly harmonious in God's character and are never in tension; rather, they are complementary aspects of His perfect being. "Gracious" (חַנּוּן, *ḥannûn*) speaks to God's unmerited favor and benevolence, His willingness to give good things freely and without obligation. "Merciful" (רַחוּם, *raḥûm*) describes His deep, compassionate love and pity for the suffering and needy, moving Him to act to relieve distress and forgive. "Righteous" (צַדִּיק, *ṣaddîq*) refers to His perfect justice, moral integrity, and adherence to His own holy standards, meaning He always acts in accordance with what is right and true. Rather than being contradictory, righteousness provides the necessary framework for grace and mercy. God's grace and mercy are not arbitrary or indulgent; they are extended in a way that upholds His perfect justice. For example, God's mercy in forgiving sin is made possible through His righteous judgment executed upon a substitute, as seen in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and ultimately in Christ's atoning work. This combination reveals a God who is both perfectly just in His judgments and profoundly loving and compassionate in His dealings with humanity, ensuring that His salvation is both just and freely given ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness and Justification Through Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 116:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and fully reveals the gracious, righteous, and merciful character of God. In Jesus, God's **grace** is made tangible and accessible, for He is described as "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His entire mission, from His incarnation to His crucifixion and resurrection, is the supreme act of unmerited favor towards humanity, offering salvation not based on our works but on God's divine initiative and boundless love ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). Christ's earthly life was one of perfect **righteousness**, fulfilling all the demands of God's law and living a sinless life, thereby becoming the righteous one who died for the unrighteous ([1 Peter 3:18](/1_peter/3-18 "1 Peter 3:18 - Christ Suffered for Sins")). His atoning sacrifice on the cross demonstrates how God's righteousness is upheld even as His mercy is extended to sinners, for in Christ, God is simultaneously "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God's Righteousness Revealed Through Christ")). Finally, Jesus is the epitome of God's **mercy**, continually demonstrating profound compassion for the sick, the marginalized, and the sinner, ultimately offering forgiveness and new life to all who turn to Him in repentance and faith ([Matthew 9:13](/matthew/9-13 "Matthew 9:13 - Jesus Came to Call Sinners")). Through Christ, the gracious, righteous, and merciful God of Psalm 116:5 draws near to us, provides redemption, and invites us into an eternal relationship, fulfilling the psalmist's experience of deliverance on a cosmic and redemptive scale.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 145:17

The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Psalms 103:8

The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Ezra 9:15

O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say], to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:

Psalms 86:15

But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalms 119:137

¶ TZADDI. Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

Isaiah 45:21

Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.