The greatest example of mercy is found in the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who walked in mercy every day, healing multitudes, feeding thousands, and casting out many demons. As He was dying on the cross, He mercifully asked God to forgive those who had crucified Him. Mercy, often translated from the Hebrew word hesed, means goodness, kindness, and mercifulness, as well as loyal, steadfast, or faithful love, emphasizing a bond between those in the relationship. In the Bible, mercy appears around 150 times, frequently as hesed, but also as lovingkindness, goodness, and compassion. Another Hebrew term, rāham, conveys love, compassion, or mercy, while kapporeth refers to the Mercy Seat atop the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing a covering where God judges with mercy, covering our sins. Mercy is understood as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm, often to those who are miserable or needy. God is described as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, showing mercy even to the worst offenders, not always issuing deserved punishment. His chief disposition toward sinful man is mercy, driven by love to bring man back to Himself. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, a man forgiven an immense debt by a compassionate king refuses to show mercy to another who owes him little, illustrating God's great desire to extend mercy to us despite our unpayable debts of sin. The Parable of the Good Samaritan shows a man moved by compassion to help a beaten, helpless stranger, demonstrating that feelings of mercy must be acted upon to be meaningful. God's mercy is further revealed in raising us, though dead in sin, to be seated at His right hand in Christ, an act of profound grace. As Psalm 136 repeats twenty-six times, His mercy endures forever.