but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My steadfast love and mercy away from him, as I took it from him (King Saul) who was before you.

But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy; At Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You.

Return, O Lord, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your [unfailing] steadfast love and mercy.

He gives great triumphs to His king, And shows steadfast love and mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.

I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, Because You have seen my affliction; You have taken note of my life’s distresses,

Rise up! Come be our help, And ransom us for the sake of Your steadfast love.

Steadfast love and truth and faithfulness meet together; Righteousness and peace kiss each other.

According to Your steadfast love refresh me and give me life, So that I may keep and obey the testimony of Your mouth.

Great are Your tender mercies and steadfast love, O Lord; Revive me and give me life according to Your ordinances.

God’s Controversy with Israel

Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, For the Lord has a [legal] case with the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness [no steadfast love, no dependability] or loyalty or kindness Or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land.

Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

But now that Timothy has come back to us from [his visit with] you, and has brought us good news of your [steadfast] faith and [the warmth of your] love, and [reported] that you always think kindly of us and treasure your memories of us, longing to see us just as we long to see you,

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ.

But as for you, O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.

Now you have diligently followed [my example, that is] my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness,

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in steadfastness [Christlike in character].

Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.