I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Conclusion-summing up the psalm. The goodness of the Lord is the antidote to fear amidst troubles; only let us wait on the Lord, and He will strengthen us.
Verse 13. (I had fainted), unless ... land of the living - i:e., in this life (Ezekiel 26:20). His heart is too full of confidence in God actually to utter the language of despair, "I had fainted:" he therefore leaves it to be understood. On "see (experience) the goodness of the Lord" cf. Psalms 25:7; Psalms 31:19; Zechariah 9:17: cf. Psalms 27:4, "the beauty of the Lord." He not merely hoped, but "believed" to see it. Even on earth the believer has a good hope, and is blessed in his portion, though accompanied with trials (1 Timothy 4:8; Mark 10:29-30).
Verse 14. Be of good courage - `act with vigour;' "be strong," х chªzaq (H2388)]: the address of David's faith to David's fears. So David addresses David his fainting so soul in Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5. Lest, however, he should seem to say that he could at will become strong of himself, he adds,
He shall strengthen - (Psalms 31:24.) He does not mention the Lord by name; he takes it as axiom that none except that One can give Strength.