So, when we see repetitive words or phrases, they are not there for
redundancy!  There is a reason for it.  Watchman Nee once did an awesome
teaching about why God frequently said "I and the God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob".  Why all three, and not just Abraham, or Abraham and Isaac?  If
you ever pick up the book Changed Into His Likeness by Watchman Nee you'll
discover the answer!  (Or ask me sometime if you are curious.)  

Years ago I began to be intrigued by the phrase "Mercy and Truth".  As I
read and studied the Bible I began to hi light it whenever it appeared.
Through the years I've prayed about it and meditated on those words, and
looked at the context of where they appear.  Recently, I finally did a
detailed study on "Mercy and Truth" and was incredibly blessed with a
practical study from God's word.
 
 
 

All through the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, we find that  truth is
God's "common denominator"  God's truth is linked to seven other attributes
of his character and each one has a specific meaning. 

For example "peace and truth" is directly related to healing. "Behold I
will bring it health and healing.  I will heal them and reveal to them the
abundance of peace and truth" (Jer 33:6).

"Light and Truth" is directly related to guidance.  "Oh send out Your
light and truth, let them lead me, let them bring me to Your 
holy hill and to Your tabernacle " (Ps 43:3).

"Sincerity and Truth" is directly related to service.  "Now therefore hear
the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth and put away the gods
which your fathers served on the other side of the river and in 
Egypt - serve the Lord!" (Josh 24:14)

Even in the New Testament we see "spirit and truth" which is linked by Jesus
to worship.  "God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship 
in spirit and truth"  (John 4:24).

So we see that God's truth is a constant and unchanging common denominator
linked with seven other divine attributes throughout scripture.  But what
specifically does "mercy and truth" indicate? ³Mercy² is the word that is 
linked with truth the most in the Bible!
 
 
 

After having written out every verse stating "mercy and truth" and carefully
examining its context in scripture I have concluded this:  Mercy & Truth is
representative of God's salvation to us and the pathway of His people
walking in it.

Mercy and truth as seen in the Old Testament in Hebrew are hesed and emet.
Hesed (mercy) is literally kindness and love to one in a relationship.  But
also when there is no formal relationship, as when God shows us mercy and
love before we even respond.  "But God demonstrated His own love toward us
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8).
Emet (truth) is literally trust, security, faithfulness, something sure and
realistic.

Mercy and truth = God's salvation and walking in it!  Take a glance
at Psalm 85 to clearly see this!  

Ps 85:2  "You have forgiven the iniquity of your people, You have
covered all their sin." Ps 85: 4,7 & 9 mention God¹s salvation.
Then the key verse: Ps 85:10  "Mercy and truth have met together, 
righteousness and peace have kissed each other."

First we see God's salvation - then mercy and truth, then in Ps 85:11-13 we
see "truth spring out of the earth" and the Lord making His footsteps our
pathway (Ps 85:13) (also clearly seen in Ps 25).
We are shown His mercy and we walk in His truth (1Kings 3:6)!  
But these are not separate things because it says "mercy and truth have met"
(Ps 85:10). In my bible, I have drawn a cross next to that verse!  I believe it is
speaking of the cross and what Jesus did for us!  I believe that in God's
diving mathematics mercy + truth = grace.  God's grace sums up the whole 
package of his salvation and our pathway of walking in it!

That is why we can't see mercy and truth together in the New Testament -
but rather we see Jesus who embodies all of God's mercy and truth and
actually is the grace of God personified (Titus 2:11).  John the Baptist
said "for the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came 
through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).  Again God's common denominator is 
truth, and Jesus literally sums up all the attributes linked with truth.
Jesus himself said "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No one comes
to the Father except through me."  (John 14:6) First we are called to
step out by faith into The Way.  Then as we go, we begin to know The Truth,
which sets us free into true life!
 
 
 

(Five is the number of GRACE, also "mercy and truth" is found 25 times 
in the Old Testament, which is 5 x 5!)

1)  Provides Salvation.   
By God joining mercy & truth in the cross to become grace.
Prov 16:6 "In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity 
and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil." ( also Ps 85:10.)

2) Prepares A Way.
"And he said blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham who has
not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master.  As for me
being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren."
Gen 24:27 Also. in the context where ³mercy and truth² are stated in many
scriptures, a way, and walking in it are seen.

3)  Prevents us from going astray.  
"Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write 
them on the tablet of your heart." Pr 3:3  "Do they not go astray who 
devise evil but mercy and truth belong to those who devise good." Prov 14:22
Another aspect of mercy and truth keeping us from going astray, is God keeping us
in balance! The study of a balanced Christian life, and the Bible has much to say
about it, would do us all well. That will be coming at a later date!

4) Protects us.  
"He shall send from heaven and save me, He reproaches the one who
would swallow me up.  God shall send forth His mercy and His truth." Ps 57:3 

5)  Preserves us.  
"Mercy and truth preserve the king. And by loving kindness he
upholds his throne." Prov. 20:28 "He shall abide before God forever,
oh prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him." Ps 61:7

Only once in scripture do we find "truth and mercy" in that order
(Mic 7:20)!  But even there the context is salvation!

"All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to such as keep His
covenant and His testimonies"  (Ps 25:10)