The word ḥesed (חֶסֶד) encompasses three primary aspects: love, loyalty, and mercy. Ḥesed is based on a relationship where parties possess affection for one another. Because of this affection, the parties are devoted to one another and choose to be loyal in the face of hardship—sometimes even making a covenant. The loyalty of one party creates the expectation of loyalty from the other party (mutuality). The merciful aspect of ḥesed is based upon feelings of compassion for another. When one party has been unfaithful, loyalty and compassion spur continued faithfulness. Hosea (God) exemplified ḥesed to Gomer (Israel) by faithfully redeeming her. Hosea’s (God’s) ḥesed cultivates gratitude and love which motivates obedience. The Old Testament believer, sometimes called a “loyal one”—ḥasid (חָסִיד), was motivated to obey God’s law by meditating on God’s ḥesed. Similarly, the New Testament believer cultivates affection for the Lord by meditating upon His grace/mercy. Genuine faith obeys God’s law out of desire more than demand. Ḥesed as love How should you demonstrate love toward others? Ḥesed is demanded of those covenantally obligated to one another. When one party acts in ḥesed, it is expected that the other party act in ḥesed. Jonathan and David’s relationship exemplify a non-marital ḥesed relationship. “While ‘covenant’ is not a prerequisite for the demonstration of ḥesed, where a covenant exists it provides a firm . . . basis for ḥesed” (Routledge, Hesed as Obligation, 183). A ḥesed life is a righteous life. With whom are you “covenantally” obligated? How do you treat that relationship? Ḥesed as mercy, lovingkindness The Book of Psalms contains over half of the uses of ḥesed (127 of its 245 uses) and nearly all of the uses ḥasid (25 of its 32 uses) reflecting the Psalter’s purpose of cultivating one’s affection for the Lord. Ḥesed in the New Testament Ḥesed as a motivation for Christian living (Rom 11:29—12:1) How has the Lord evidenced ḥesed toward you?