In the Old Testament, the word “Lovingkindness” appears frequently in translations such as the King James Version and the Tree of Life Version. I grew up on the KJV (old school KJV) and had to memorize the Thou and Thee of each verse. However, my heart, my word nerd heart, was drawn to the words that described GOD and His attitude toward His children, His chosen people.
The one word that stuck out to me the most was, you guessed it, “Lovingkindness.”
So, as I read about the attributes of GOD the other day, I wondered about the origin and the meaning and how the one word became two in some translations and I wondered if the concept of Lovingkindness was lost in translation.
Make me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You I trust.
Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalms 143:8 (TLV)
Other versions use steadfast love, constant love, or loyal love. . . Now, I know that GOD’s love endures forever, but I feel that eliminating the kindness part of the word diminishes the love.
Lovingkindness and truth preserve the king,
but his throne is upheld by lovingkindness.
Proverbs 20:28 (TLV)
Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
Proverbs 20:28 (KJV)
Loyal love and truth preserve a king, and his throne is upheld by loyal love.
Proverbs 20:28 (NET)
What is missing in the second and third translations above?
Love in the second and mercy in the third.
Lovingkindness encompasses so many things.
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not brag,
it is not puffed up, it does not behave inappropriately,
it does not seek its own way, it is not provoked, it keeps no account of wrong,
it does not rejoice over injustice but rejoices in the truth;
it bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things,
it endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (TLV)
Charity has patience, is kind;
charity is not envious, is not vain, is not puffed up;
does not behave indecently, does not seek her own,
is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.
Charity does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices in the truth, quietly covers all things,
believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7(MKJV)
Those above verses cover love and charity. Charity is a kindness and a mercy.
The word “Lovingkindness” encompasses so much more than just loyalty and faithfulness and charity.
When I read the word lovingkindness, I think about all the commandments. I ponder His generosity in forgiveness. I think about how my Heavenly Father loves me more than I can ever know or deserve. He is kind and gentle and faithful and continues to love me despite my flaws.
Breaking the word down and making it easier to digest seems to make GOD easier to digest.
The truth is that Lovingkindness is one word and GOD is so much more than we could ever comprehend. His love and kindness toward His creation is beyond anything we could fathom.
GOD exemplifies lovingkindness and all that word entails. Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try, we will never comprehend the extent of that word. We can’t break it down.
Dear Holy Father,
You are our King, our Master, our Creator.
You are beyond our comprehension.
Guide us into knowing You more.
Help us to seek You and ask for Your guidance.
Show us how to walk in lovingkindness
and know Your will for our lives.
We ask these things in the Holy Name of Jesus,
Amen.
Shalom.
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