lovingkindness

plural lovingkindnesses · alternative loving kindness · alternative loving-kindness

1. uncountableKindness or mercy which is based on, or arises from, love; (countable) an act of such kindness or mercy.

   Awake, my soul, to joyful lays, / And sing the great Redeemer's praise; / He justly claims a song from me: / His loving-kindness, oh, how free!

   1867, [Charles Seymour Robinson], “Loving-kindness”, in Songs for the Sanctuary: Or, Hymns and Tunes for Christian Worship, New York, N.Y.: A. S. Barnes & Co., 111 & 113 William Street, (Corner of John Street.), →OCLC, page 238

   5 more examples

   But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that hee vnderſtandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exerciſe louing kindneſſe, iudgement, and righteouſneſſe in the earth: for in these things I delight, ſaith the Lord.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Jeremiah 9:24

   […] My loving kindneſſe, my mercifull diſposition is a great bond, but my faithfulneſſe ſhall binde me also, I will be content to ingage my ſelfe to you, to ingage all that I am, and all that I have to you, that you may certainly confide in me, ſo as you may not onely expect it from my love, but challenge it from my faithfulneſſe.

   1643, Jer. Burroughes [i.e., Jeremiah Burroughs], “The Nineteenth Lecture: Hosea 2. 20, 21, 22, 23.”, in An Exposition of the Prophecie of Hosea. Begun in Divers Lectures upon the First Three Chapters, at Michaels Cornhill, London, London: Printed by W. E. and J. G. for R. Dawlman, →OCLC, page 651

   What a comfort is it for chriſtian friends to relate to each other the loving-kindneſs of the Lord? O let his praiſes be ever in our mouths, that we may be telling of his ſalvation from day to day.

   1736 April 2, George Whitefield, “Letter XI. To the Same [Mr. H.]”, in The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., Late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon. Containing All His Sermons and Tracts which have already been Published: With a Select Collection of Letters, Written to His Most Intimate Friends, and Persons of Distinction, in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America, from the Year 1734, to 1770, including the Whole Period of His Ministry. Also Some Other Pieces on Important Subjects, never before Printed; Prepared by Himself for the Press. To which is Prefixed, an Account of His Life, Compiled from His Original Papers and Letters, London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, in the Poultry; Edinburgh: Messrs. Kincaid and Bell, published 1771, →OCLC, page 13

   Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His loving-kindnesses been marvellous? Has he once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time.

   1867, C[harles] H[addon] Spurgeon, “Oct. 17. ‘And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul.’ — 1 Samuel xxvii. 1.”, in Morning by Morning; or, Daily Readings for the Family or the Closet, New York, N.Y.: Sheldon and Company, 498 and 500 Broadway, →OCLC, page 291

   In just the same way, the force of metta, lovingkindness, allows us to cohere, to come together within ourselves and with all beings. The beauty of this truth moved the Buddha to say that sustaining a loving heart, even for the duration of the snap of a finger, makes one a truly spiritual being.

   1997, Sharon Salzberg, “Mercy”, in Kathleen Hughes, Joseph A. Favazza, editors, A Reconciliation Sourcebook (The Sourcebook Series), Chicago, Ill.: Liturgy Training Publications, →ISBN, page 141