Psalm
27:13 – Assurance of Seeing the Goodness of God
in
the Land of the Living
It is very fashionable in diverse
religious and spiritual circles to say affirmations aloud each day. This discipline of faith reinforces a
disciple’s belief in God’s unfailing love, limitless grace and unending mercy. The Psalmist concludes this often-quoted spiritual
poem and verse with a thunderous statement of faith. “I am still confident of
this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” His affirmation in God’s faithfulness follows
His lament about facing enemies and potential opposition of an army. The Psalmist insists he will rely upon God despite
living in the days of trouble. He will
forsake his fear and genuinely rely upon God’s faithfulness and kindness. He begins this psalm in asking a rhetorical question
about the worthlessness of fear considering God’s enduring graciousness amid
evil, war and danger. “The Lord is my
light and salvation. Whom shall I
fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?” The Psalter asks himself these questions to remind
himself of God’s unquestioned trustworthiness.
His questions raise the dichotomy of
faith and fear which cannot coexist. Instead
of languishing in fear, the Psalter chooses to ground his life and well-being in
his relationship with God. In the second
half of this psalm, he appeals to God for perfect assurance of God’s presence
and protection. Starkly, the Psalmist
considers the dreadful possibility that his mother and father may forsake him. To that horrific occurrence, he reaffirms
that the Lord will “take him up.” In
addition, the Psalmist realizes the further dreadfulness that he may fall into
the hands of his foes and false witnesses whose accusations may gain acceptance
by misguided persons. Notwithstanding the
Psalter’s potent mental and emotional fears and well-founded external threats
to his life, he declares his resolve to remain steadfast in his trust of
God. The Psalmist unequivocally expects
to receive and experience the bounty of God’s goodness during his earthly journey.
This verse communicates an undying hope
despite the Psalter experiences bleaks circumstances. This psalm enumerates several hurtful and difficult
situations that deeply afflict the Psalter.
Reciting theological tenets would be minimally comforting and helpful. Do creeds and rituals encourage and empower disciples
in distress? Quite possibly, formal and systematic faith has its limits. Formulaic faith certainly disappoints as a
disciple lingers in hard times. To
persevere and ultimately surmount them, the Psalter proclaims an unwavering hope
in God’s character and power. To hope is
an expression of heartfelt expectation, ambition and trust that something will
occur. Practically speaking, the Psalter
essentially says that no one and nothing will convince him otherwise. He knows within his heart of hearts and in
the deep crevices of his mind that God will overshadow his bleak circumstances. Irrespective of his balance sheet, bank
accounts, job title, physical health, mental and emotional state and well-being
of personal and professional relationships, the Psalter rests upon the assurance
of realizing God’s goodness at some point in the future. The Psalter believes a reversal of fortune
awaits him. He must simply trust God’s
faithfulness despite periodic weariness.
Hope fuels the Psalter’s resilience until God’s promises emerge.
Florence Scovel Shinn posits affirmations
are to be said aloud in the present tense.
Future tenses delay blessings. Use
of past tenses prevents new occurrences.
Accordingly, the Psalter states his unambiguous belief that if he maintains
hope and trust in Almighty God, he will see inexpressible blessings and joys. Interestingly, the King James Version of this
verse reads, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.” Stating affirmations
in the present is necessary to prevent surrender and faithlessness. The Psalmist would have given up if he had
not been in the practice of verbally affirming his hope in God. His words prevented his lapse into negative
thinking and experiential paralysis. Note
the emphasis upon faith in the Psalter’s use of the subjunctive mood in this
translation. His faith in God propels his
perseverance through the tunnel of existential darkness. The Psalter’s hope enables him to rise out of
bed each morning and continue his daily affairs as he awaits the unfolding of
God’s goodness.
The Psalmist concludes this grand poem
with a triumphant word of exhortation and expectation to himself. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, He
will strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord.” The Psalter recognizes that God rewards his boldness
in faith with deepening his resolve to trust God as he expects fulfillment of
God’s favor and kindness.
