Psalms 27:13

Psalms 27:13 [I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Ver. 13. I had fainted, unless I had believed] Saved he was then by his faith, which drank to him as it were in a cup of Nepenthes, and fetched him again when ready to swoon and sink. See Psalms 119:92. The word rendered unless here is (as the Masorites note) one of the fifteen Scripture words, that were extraordinarily pointed by the men of the great synagogue (Lule habet puncta supra and infra). Hebrew Text Note The reason whereof given by Kimchi and others (as if David doubted of his salvation) is not satisfactory nor sound.

To see the goodness of the Lord] That is, to taste; one sense usually put for another; the soul also hath her senses; and these must be habitually exercised to discern good and evil, Hebrews 5:14 .

In the land of the living] That is, here on earth, Psa 116:9 Isaiah 38:11, where men live; and I myself have not only a portion of life with them, but a promise of many good things besides. To blame, therefore, was good David, when he said in his haste, All men are liars, prophets, and all who had promised him the kingdom, Psalms 116:10. But the best have their passions; which they daily outgrow, and add to their faith patience, 2 Peter 1:5,6. And albeit as Calvin here noteth, every one's case is not like David's, who had particular promises concerning this life, beyond many other faithful persons; yet, because according to every man's faith it shall be unto him, let us all likewise trust in God, as we are all hereupon exhorted in the next words.