Psalms 27:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

I had fainted, unless {H3884} I had believed {H539} to see {H7200} the goodness {H2898} of the LORD {H3068} in the land {H776} of the living {H2416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If I hadn't believed that I would see ADONAI's goodness in the land of the living, . . .

Berean Standard Bible

Still I am certain to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

American Standard Version

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah In the land of the living.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 27:13 articulates the psalmist's profound conviction that his very survival and spiritual resilience were entirely contingent upon his unwavering faith in God's active benevolence and promised intervention within his present earthly existence. It stands as a powerful declaration of hope, asserting that belief in the imminent manifestation of divine goodness is the sole bulwark against utter despair and collapse in the face of overwhelming adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 27, traditionally attributed to King David, is a psalm marked by a dramatic shift in emotional tenor, moving from triumphant confidence to earnest supplication. It opens with a bold and declarative affirmation of God as David's [light, salvation, and strength](/psalms/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - God as Light, Salvation, and Strength"), expressing an unshakeable trust that renders him fearless in the face of formidable enemies, as articulated in [verses 1-3](/psalms/27-1-3 "Psalm 27:1-3 - David's Fearless Confidence"). The psalm's central desire is then revealed in [verse 4](/psalms/27-4 "Psalm 27:4 - David's Singular Desire for God's Presence"), where David expresses his longing to dwell perpetually in the Lord's house and behold His beauty. However, the mood shifts significantly in [verses 7-12](/psalms/27-7-12 "Psalm 27:7-12 - David's Cry for Help Amidst Adversity"), as David cries out to God, acknowledging feelings of abandonment, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of adversaries. Verse 13 serves as a crucial pivot, a profound statement of faith that anchors his soul amidst the turmoil, preventing his spiritual collapse. This declaration of belief then leads seamlessly into the psalm's concluding exhortation in [verse 14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Waiting Expectantly on the Lord"), urging both himself and the reader to "Wait on the LORD." Thus, verse 13 functions as the linchpin that transforms lament into renewed hope and steadfast endurance.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting for Psalm 27 remains unspecified, its themes resonate deeply with various periods of King David's life characterized by intense persecution, betrayal, and flight, such as his years fleeing from King Saul or during the rebellion led by his son Absalom. In ancient Israel, life was often precarious, marked by constant threats from enemies and natural disasters. The concept of "the land of the living" (Hebrew: _'erets chayyim_) held profound significance, denoting the realm of earthly existence in contrast to Sheol, the shadowy abode of the dead, from which there was no return in common understanding. To "see the goodness of the LORD" in this life implied not only divine protection and material provision but also vindication against adversaries, the fulfillment of covenant promises, and the tangible experience of God's favor. The cultural expectation was that a righteous person would experience God's blessings and active intervention during their lifetime. David's declaration in this verse is therefore a powerful affirmation of hope against the immediate and existential threat of death, ruin, or utter despair, asserting God's active involvement in the present.

* **Key Themes:** Psalm 27:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unwavering faith amidst adversity**, presenting belief as the indispensable lifeline that prevents spiritual and emotional collapse. David's conviction in God's active goodness is the antidote to despair, echoing the biblical understanding of faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" found in [Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - The Definition of Faith"). Secondly, the verse highlights **the immanence and tangible nature of God's goodness**. The "goodness of the LORD" is not merely an abstract concept or a promise reserved solely for the afterlife, but something to be experienced "in the land of the living," emphasizing God's active involvement and benevolent intervention in the present. This challenges ancient Near Eastern worldviews where death often marked the cessation of divine favor. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **perseverance and resilience**, demonstrating how a steadfast hope in God's future (yet presently anticipated) deliverance empowers the believer to endure overwhelming circumstances and to "wait on the LORD" with courage, as exhorted in [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Waiting Expectantly on the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Unless (Hebrew, _lûwlêʼ'_):** This conjunction introduces a strong conditional clause, meaning "if not" or "were it not that." It highlights the absolute necessity of the subsequent condition for avoiding the dire outcome expressed in the preceding implied clause ("I had fainted"). It underscores that the psalmist's survival and spiritual fortitude were entirely dependent on his belief.
* **Believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** This verb signifies a firm, unwavering trust, reliance, and faithfulness. It implies a deep conviction and certainty in the truth and reliability of God's character and promises. It's the root from which "Amen" derives, meaning "so be it" or "it is true." David's belief is not a mere intellectual assent but a profound, active trust that anchors his soul and prevents his demise. This word encompasses the idea of being firm, faithful, and assured.
* **Goodness (Hebrew, _ṭûwb'_):** This comprehensive term refers to God's inherent moral and material excellence, His kindness, favor, and benevolent provision. It encompasses everything that is good, pleasant, beneficial, and desirable that comes from God's hand. It speaks of God's inherent nature as good and His active disposition to bestow blessings and favor upon His people, as celebrated in [Psalm 31:19](/psalms/31-19 "Psalm 31:19 - God's Great Goodness"). This word suggests welfare, joy, and that which is fair and goes well.
* **Living (Hebrew, _chay'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to live," this word describes something as "alive," "fresh," "strong," or "quick." In the context of "land of the living," it emphasizes the present, tangible, and vibrant realm of earthly existence, as opposed to the state of death or the shadowy realm of Sheol. It highlights the psalmist's expectation of experiencing God's goodness in a real and active way during his lifetime.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[I had fainted], unless I had believed":** This opening clause presents a stark contrast between an impending catastrophe and the sole preventative measure. The psalmist implicitly acknowledges his precarious state, on the verge of utter collapse or perishing (the bracketed "I had fainted" conveys this sense of imminent doom), indicating the severity of his distress. The only thing that prevented this dire outcome was his active, unwavering faith. This highlights the indispensable role of belief as a lifeline, a spiritual anchor in the storm that averts total ruin.
* **"to see the goodness of the LORD":** The object of David's belief is not merely God's existence, but the tangible manifestation of His "goodness." This "seeing" implies an experiential knowledge, an actual witnessing of God's benevolent intervention, favor, and provision. It is a confident expectation that God's character of kindness, generosity, and faithfulness will be made evident in his life through concrete acts of deliverance and blessing.
* **"in the land of the living":** This crucial phrase specifies the realm in which David expects to see God's goodness. It refers to this earthly life, the present existence, as opposed to the realm of the dead (Sheol). This emphasizes David's hope for a present, temporal deliverance and vindication, not solely a future, eschatological one. It underscores the belief that God's active hand is at work in the here and now, providing hope and sustenance even amidst immediate trials and the threat of death.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 27:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Ellipsis**, where the opening clause "I had fainted" is implied or supplied, creating a powerful sense of an averted catastrophe. This rhetorical choice emphasizes the extreme depth of the psalmist's potential despair and the absolute necessity of his faith as the sole preventative force. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the state of perishing (implied by "fainted") and the active, life-sustaining act of "believing," highlighting the transformative and vital power of faith. The phrase "land of the living" functions as a **Metonymy** for earthly existence, distinguishing it from the realm of the dead and underscoring the immediate, present-day relevance of God's goodness. Finally, the verse is a profound **Confession of Faith**, where the psalmist articulates his deep personal conviction and trust in God's character, serving as both a personal declaration of dependence and an encouragement to the reader to likewise anchor their hope in divine goodness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 27:13 is a profound theological statement on the nature of faith as an active, sustaining force in the face of life's most daunting challenges. It teaches that hope in God's active benevolence is not merely a comforting thought but a vital necessity for spiritual and emotional survival. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God's goodness is not reserved solely for eternity but is actively available and observable in the present "land of the living." It challenges believers to cultivate a vibrant, expectant faith that anticipates God's intervention and provision in their current circumstances, preventing despair and enabling perseverance. This perspective transforms suffering into a crucible where faith is refined and God's faithfulness is ultimately revealed, demonstrating that God's character is consistently good, even when circumstances are not.

* [2 Corinthians 4:16-18](/2_corinthians/4-16-18 "2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Enduring Through Faith")
* [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ's Victory Over the World")
* [1 Peter 1:8-9](/1_peter/1-8-9 "1 Peter 1:8-9 - Rejoicing in Unseen Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 27:13 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating the inevitable adversities of life. It compels us to confront the reality that without a deep-seated, active belief in God's manifest goodness, despair is an ever-present threat. In moments of overwhelming difficulty, when circumstances seem to conspire against us and hope dwindles, this verse calls us to deliberately choose faith over fainting. It reminds us that our spiritual resilience is directly tied to our conviction that God is not only good but that His goodness will manifest in our lives, even in the midst of our present struggles. This isn't a call for naive optimism, but for a robust, biblically-grounded hope that understands God's unchanging character and His unwavering commitment to His people. Cultivating such a faith means actively seeking to "see" His hand, His provision, and His faithfulness in the everyday, transforming our perspective from one of impending collapse to one of enduring hope and confident expectation. It challenges us to look beyond immediate trials to the certain reality of God's active presence and benevolent intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific circumstances in your life currently tempt you to "faint" or lose hope, and how does this verse speak to those challenges?**
* **How does your belief in the "goodness of the LORD" actively sustain you in those challenging situations, preventing spiritual or emotional collapse?**
* **In what tangible ways are you actively looking to "see" God's goodness manifest in your "land of the living" today, even amidst difficulties?**
* **What practical steps can you take to strengthen your conviction that God's promises are true and applicable to your present reality, fostering a more resilient faith?**

### FAQ
**What does "the land of the living" specifically refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "The land of the living" refers to this earthly life, the present existence, as opposed to the realm of the dead (Sheol in the Old Testament context). It emphasizes that the psalmist's expectation of experiencing God's goodness and intervention is for his current, temporal life, not solely for an afterlife. This highlights a powerful hope for present deliverance, vindication, and blessing, indicating that God's active hand is at work in the here and now, providing sustenance and hope even amidst immediate trials. It underscores the belief that God's goodness is not abstract or distant but tangibly available in our daily experience, promising that His faithfulness will be demonstrated in the very world we inhabit.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of perseverance in faith?**

Answer: Psalm 27:13 is a powerful testament to the necessity of perseverance in faith. The psalmist declares that he "had fainted" (i.e., would have perished or given up entirely) *unless* he had believed. This directly links his continued existence and spiritual fortitude to his unwavering conviction. It illustrates that faith is not a one-time decision but an ongoing act of trust that sustains us through prolonged periods of difficulty. It teaches that holding onto the hope of seeing God's goodness manifest is what empowers us to endure, preventing despair from overwhelming us. This active, enduring belief is the spiritual anchor that enables us to "wait on the LORD" (as in [Psalm 27:14](/psalms/27-14 "Psalm 27:14 - Waiting on the Lord")) even when the path ahead is unclear or filled with obstacles. It is the very essence of spiritual endurance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 27:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While David believed to see God's goodness in his earthly life, Christ is the very embodiment and ultimate revelation of that goodness. He is the [Light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World") and the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), who brings true, eternal life to the "land of the living" in a way far surpassing any temporal deliverance. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and despair, offering not just a temporary reprieve but [eternal life](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ") to all who believe. Our faith, like David's, is anchored in seeing God's goodness, but for us, that goodness is definitively seen in the person and redemptive work of Christ. He is the "goodness of the LORD" made flesh, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd") who lays down His life for His sheep and provides for their every need. Believers are empowered to face any trial because we know that our hope is not merely in a fleeting earthly manifestation, but in the [living hope](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - A Living Hope") of Christ's victory, guaranteeing that even if we "faint" in this life, we will ultimately "see the goodness of the LORD" in the new heavens and new earth, where God Himself will dwell with us and [wipe away every tear](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears"). Our belief in Christ ensures that we will not perish, but have everlasting life, truly seeing God's goodness for all eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 142:5

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou [art] my refuge [and] my portion in the land of the living.

2 Corinthians 4:16

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:8

¶ [We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.

Psalms 56:3

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalms 31:19

¶ [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalms 56:13

For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?