9219. 'For I am merciful' means that such help comes wholly from Him, out of mercy. This is clear from the meaning of 'being merciful', since it refers to the Lord, as the truth that help comes wholly from Him. The reason why out of mercy is meant is that everything done by the Lord is an act of mercy. The Lord in His Essential Being (Esse) is Divine Love; and love, when it is shown towards those in a state of wretchedness, is called mercy. Thus His Love as it is shown to the whole human race is called mercy; for the human race is set fast in a state of misery, since the human self or proprium is nothing but evil, 210, 215, 874-876, 987, 1581, 5660, 5786, 8480.