Bible verses about mercy
Psalm 51:1, Micah 6:8 and Luke 6:36 cover three sides of mercy in the Bible: asking for it, living it out, and passing it on to others. Psalm 103:8-10 also describes how God treats people. All ten are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Psalm 51:1
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
In the World English Bible
Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
David wrote this after a serious wrong. He doesn't make excuses and asks for mercy based on God's own love.
2.Psalm 103:8-10
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
In the World English Bible
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.
A description of God as slow to anger and full of love, who doesn't treat people according to what they deserve.
3.Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
In the World English Bible
He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Three things are asked of people: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. It's a very short list for such a big topic.
4.Luke 6:36
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
In the World English Bible
“Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Jesus tells his listeners to be merciful in the same way their Father is. Mercy becomes something to practice, too.
5.Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
In the World English Bible
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
From the Sermon on the Mount. The merciful are called blessed, and Jesus links their mercy to receiving it.
6.Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
In the World English Bible
But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
Paul says God is rich in mercy and that his love was great, even for people who were spiritually lifeless.
7.Psalm 86:15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
In the World English Bible
But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.
The writer quotes an old description of God that shows up again and again in the older books: compassionate, gracious, patient.
8.Nehemiah 9:17
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
In the World English Bible
and refused to obey. They weren’t mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them.
Part of a prayer by a people who had often gone wrong. They remind God, and themselves, that he doesn't leave.
9.Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
In the World English Bible
“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
In the story of the lost son, the father sees him coming from far off and runs to meet him. It's the best picture of mercy in the Gospels.
10.James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
In the World English Bible
For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
A warning and a hope in one verse. Mercy is shown to those who've been merciful, and it rises above judgment.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about mercy?
Psalm 51:1 is a good place to start. David wrote this after a serious wrong. He doesn't make excuses and asks for mercy based on God's own love.
What does mercy mean in the Bible?
Mercy is compassion shown to someone who doesn't deserve it, or who is in need. Psalm 103:8-10 describes it in God's character, and Luke 6:36 asks people to show it to others. Micah 6:8 lists loving mercy among the things asked of everyone.
Where does the Bible say God is merciful?
The description is repeated across Scripture. Psalm 86:15 and Nehemiah 9:17 both use the same wording: gracious, compassionate and slow to anger. Ephesians 2:4-5 brings the same idea into the later letters.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.