The Book of Exodus states: "God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Coming from the OT, this is truly a different view of God, who often seems to be harsh and far from love in his chastisements. But when the OT says that God is merciful, it means that  he has the tenderness of a mother towards her child. God is merciful because he sees us as his children  in need of love and care. We don't deserve his mercy, but he graciously pours out his mercy because of his own nature. He would not be God if he was not both merciful and just.