In this paper, a study on the dynamic behavior and lubrication characteristics of a reciprocating compression mechanism used in small refrigeration compressor is performed. In the problem formulation of the compressor dynamics, the viscous frictional force between piston and cylinder wall is considered in order to determine the coupled dynamic behaviors of piston and crankshaft. The solutions of the equations of motion of the reciprocating mechanism along with the time dependent Reynolds equations for the lubricating film between piston and cylinder wall and oil films of the journal bearings are obtained simultaneously. The hydrodynamic forces of journal bearings are calculated using finite bearing model and Gumbel boundary condition. And, a Newton-Raphson procedure was employed in solving the nonlinear equations of piston and crankshaft. The results explored the effects of design parameters on the stability and lubrication characteristics of the compression mechanism.