Psalms 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
In our first passage God’s mercy is mentioned in the context of us not receiving what we are really due, hence the reason why the passage states that we are not consumed. In other words, were it not for the manifestation of God’s mercies towards us, we would all be naturally “consumed”.
Therefore, from the perspective of us being sinners, everything God does, and everything God tells us to do should always be viewed in the context of mercy for some have erroneously concluded that The God of the Old Testament was severe while The God of the New Testament is love.
The fact is that it is The same God yesterday, today and forever, and He bids us to study with a humble heart and a teachable spirit, His providences in both the old and new Testaments, for we will discover a common thread of mercy running throughout the entire Bible.
Psalms 103:13 Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!