Let not (lovingkindness) mercy and truth forsake thee:
Bind them about thy neck;
Write them upon the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favor and good understanding
In the sight of God and man.
“The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The law was truth, but it was truth without grace. This latter having come by Jesus Christ the believer is exhorted to be speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). “Speaking the truth” is one word in the original, and is a participle.
Mr. J.N. Darby suggested coining a word to express it; “truthing.” It is not merely speaking the truth. It is being characterized by the truth; but all must be in love. A hard and fast intolerant spirit that makes the truth like a series of legal enactments and is censorious towards those who see not eye to eye with oneself; this is far removed from the Spirit of truth.
Lovingkindness will command the truth, when an acrimonious, judging spirit, will deter the timid from its reception. They are to be bound about the neck, in this way displayed in the sight of men; and written upon the heart, thus finding favor with God.