God's identity is beyond what we could ever fully express in human words. But Scripture uses one particular word to describe the distinctiveness of God's character: the Hebrew word hesed.Hesed is a concept so rich in meaning that it doesn't translate well into any single English word or phrase. Michael Card unpacks the many dimensions of hesed, often expressed as lovingkindness, covenant faithfulness, or steadfast love. He explores how hesed is used in the Old Testament to reveal God's character and how he relates to his people. Ultimately, the fullness of hesed is embodied in the incarnation of Jesus.As we follow our God of hesed, we ourselves are transformed to live out the way of hesed, marked by compassion, mercy, and faithfulness. Discover what it means to be people of an everlasting love beyond words.



Michael Card is an award-winning musician and performing artist. His many books include A Fragile Stone, Inexpressible, The Nazarene, and the Biblical Imagination Series on the four Gospels.



Preface: The Untranslatable Defining the Inexpressible

Introduction: A Word on the Meaning of Words



Part I. The God of Hesed

1. Opening the Door

2. The Definitive Encounter

3. Slow to Anger

4. Like No Other God

5. An Everlasting Refrain

6. A Prayer of Honest Rage



Part II. The Objects of Hesed

7. When Dinah Held My Hand

8. The Heseds of David

9. Ethan: "I Will Sing"

10. Moses: "In the Morning"

11. Jeremiah: "I Am Hesed"

12. Hosea: A Novel of Hesed



Part III. Hesed Finally Defined

13. Hesed and Truth

14. On Jesus' Lips

15. How to Amaze Jesus

16. The One Who Showed Hesed

17. Paul and the Path to Redemption



Part IV. An Instinct for Hesed

18. Here, Rabbi, Take My Seat

19. Hesed in Post–AD 70 Judaism

20. Gemilut Hesed and Tikkun Olam



Conclusion: Do Justice, LoveMercy, Walk Humbly: The Monumental Nature of Kindness

Afterword

Appendix A: Occurrences of Hesed in Scripture

Appendix B: Comparison of Translations

Appendix C: A Vocabulary of Associated Words

Appendix D: For Further Study

Notes

Bibliography

Scripture Index