The virtue of compassion runs throughout the storyline of Scripture. When God called His people out of Egypt, He revealed Himself as One who is merciful (Ex. 34:6). During the divided monarchy in Israel, fraught with idol worship and turning away from Yahweh, we are told, “But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (2 Kings 13:23).

The psalmists frequently note God’s compassion (e.g., Pss. 78:38; 86:15; 103:4). Psalm 103:13, perhaps a favorite passage for many of us, declares,

As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

The prophet Isaiah speaks often of God’s compassion, noting that “with great compassion I will gather you” (Isa. 54:7) and “with everlasting love I will have compassion on you” (Isa. 54:8). As we near the close of the Old Testament, the prophet Micah speaks of the hope that “[God] will again have compassion on us” (Micah 7:19). Continue reading on Ligonier.org.