Hesed

Hesed is one of the hardest Hebrew words to translate. English Bibles render it as lovingkindness, steadfast love, mercy or covenant faithfulness, because it carries all of those at once.

Hesed is love with a commitment attached. It shows up most often when God keeps a promise to people who have not kept theirs. When Lamentations says his mercies are new every morning, that is hesed: not a mood, but a covenant that holds.