But it is more than a mere subject to be considered academically. It is something to be both pondered and expressed, thought upon and articulated. In the 118th Psalm, the people of God are summoned to a consideration of God's goodness. It is not something He exhibits on occasion that is actually a departure from His basic Person. When God shows mercy, He is revealing Himself.
Mercy emphasizes compassion, or tender consideration.
Gracious emphasizes abundance, and the inclination to lavish His love upon us. Every child of God has found occasion to thank and praise the Lord for this glorious circumstance. The Spirit is not content to merely speak of the wonderful mercies of God. He insists that we join in the perceptive confession of that mercy. While time endures, there will be no season when the mercy of God does not endure when it is not accessible to the people.