Is the God of the Old Testament Just Angry All the Time?

43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.    Isaiah 43 (ESV)

You may have noticed that I have been enjoying Isaiah lately. I think one of the reasons is seeing the tender display of God's love for His people. I know that people often think of the God of the Old Testament as a God of wrath and judgment, and the God of the New Testament as a God of love. One of the problems with this are scriptures that state otherwise (see below*). But I do remember the first time I read through the Old Testament. I felt like God was killing people left and right, and it made such an impression on me! But I think I needed to see how serious God was/is about sin. But then the next time I read it, I felt like I saw His love all over the place! Here are some more verses from Isaiah:

6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
    I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
    a light for the nations,"  Isaiah 42 (ESV)


4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.  Isaiah 43 (ESV)


2 Thus says the Lord who made you,
    who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
    Jeshurun whom I have chosen.  Isaiah 44 (ESV)


*10 And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
12 like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”  from Hebrews 1 (ESV)

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.