תהלים, פרק קי״ו, פסוק ה׳

A precise balance of grace, justice, and mercy forms the very foundation of human prayer. Recognizing that God possesses these specific traits is the primary reason a person is moved to call out and pray to Him [רד״ק, מאירי].

God is deeply compassionate [אבן עזרא], granting gifts freely to people even when they completely lack good deeds [מלבי״ם]. At the same time, He is strictly just. This justice functions in two distinct ways. First, divine justice ensures that a righteous and God-fearing person receives the proper reward earned by their good actions [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. Second, justice creates a necessary balance against unearned grace. God does not simply overlook or ignore faults; He always operates with absolute fairness and judgment [אלשיך].

To bridge the natural tension between free grace and strict justice, God acts with profound mercy [אבן עזרא]. Because He is uniquely our God, He guides and treats us with deep compassion [אלשיך]. This mercy is especially directed toward the poor and the oppressed [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, while God's grace and justice explain why He has always heard prayers in the past, it is His unending mercy that guarantees He will continue to listen and respond today [מלבי״ם].