Psalm 89:32-33 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. [33] Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

Nowhere is God's lovingkindness and faithfulness seen more clearly than here. When "the rod" (Jesus) paid our sin a visit and rather than give us stripes, received it.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, *he was bruised for our iniquities*: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Why is this considered the greatest expression of God's love and faithfulness?

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
He layed down his life for his enemies. That a higher love than dying for friends.

When he visited our sin (our captor), he paid the captors price (death) to have us released. Now, we are free.

The rod came from the stem of Jesse (Isa 11:1) to bring correction, but not by being punitive, but rather by being full of grace, truth, lovingkindness, mercy and goodness. Because it's the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Rom 2:4).