Pessimism, an Untenable Theory of the Universe
W. Garrett Herder. Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Yet, though the creed of despair it throws its dark shadow over thousands both in Germany and England. It argues thus: — Seeing the evil and misery that exist and have existed from the beginning, how is it possible to believe in a Being who is omnipotent and omniscient? If He knew of all this, He could have prevented it; and if He did not do so, how can I believe in His goodness? Now, none of us can fully despair of the difficulty, but yet there are considerations which may help our faith; as, I. GREAT AS IS THE MISERY OF THE WORLD, IT IS NOT SO GREAT AS IT SOMETIMES SEEMS. Anguish, suffering, sorrow, are not the prevailing notes in the music of earth. Calamities are the exception, not the rule. II. Much OF THE MISERY WE DEPLORE IS NOT SO GREAT TO THOSE WHO BEAR IT AS IT APPEARS TO US. Use is second nature, and what we are used to does not make us unhappy as it otherwise would. III. THE CAPACITY FOR SORROW IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CAPACITY FOR JOY. A sorrowless world would be a joyless one. IV. WITH MUCH OF MAN'S MISERY GOD IS NOT CHARGEABLE AT ALL. It is the result of man's sin. (W. Garrett Herder.) Parallel Verses KJV: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. WEB: I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.