The Evidence of Things not Seen
George Bainton. Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. We cannot — no one can, not the profoundest philosopher tell what life is, but we know that it is fed from without. And the higher the form of existence the more of external help it requires in order to its proper development. See this in plant life, in animal life, in human life. And this last needs most of all. And abundant supply is forthcoming for it, real, wholesome, beautiful satisfaction. In this last verse of the Psalm David gives utterance to a grand assurance and anticipation concerning the life that now is. He should not want. Goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life. Hence what could he do but pour out his thankfulness unto the Lord, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the presence of all His people? He tells us that goodness and mercy are special marks of God's dealings with men. Let us think of them. I. GOODNESS. "Good" and "God" in Anglo-Saxon are the same word. Goodness or Goriness, an element of God's nature. "There is none good but One," said Jesus, "that is God." It is simply impossible for Him ever to decree or wish to do anything evil. Ill will or bad purpose on His part is inconceivable. II. MERCY. This also is characteristic of the Divine relation to man. In giving this emphatic testimony to the nobleness of mercy David does but voice the dearest assurances of the human heart concerning the omnipotence of love. God is good, and therefore He must be merciful. He could not else be good. He has bound Himself by His own promise to be merciful and forgiving. Hence it is said, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to," etc. No wonder, then, that David felt so secure when thinking of the future. (George Bainton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. WEB: Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh's house forever. A Psalm by David.