See the Goodness of God

 

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14, NAS)

In Psalm 27, verses 1 through 6, King David expressed his confidence in a God of whom he has had deep communion with. Then in verses 7 through 14, he turned from praise to plaintiff prayer of dependence and hope in a redemptive God. This Psalm has been known as one of “composites” with extreme high of joy and jubilance in the first half and thence sinking to the depth of sadness and near despair in the latter part (Pulpit Commentary).

Read how verse 13, as part of the ending verses, unify these extremes to produce hope in us.

Verses 13 and 14 as the ending verses offered hope in David’s exhortation. In the original language, verse 13 began abruptly with “unless I had believed” and the English translation supplied the implied but missing “I would have despaired.” When faced with despairing circumstance, the author’s trust in God’s unfailing goodness produced faith that resisted a loss of heart “in the land of the living” (JFB’s Commentary).

Dear follower of Christ, what are you facing these days that may have brought you close to despair? May we ponder on Psalm 27 and seek not just His solace, but His redemptive presence of light, confident of His power in undergirding you to face your Goliath, and taking hold of the present Hope while we still have life. Shalom.

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