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

PSALMS 27:13KJV
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Psalms 27:13 (KJV)

What does Psalms 27:13 mean?

Psalms 27:13 expresses the psalmist’s conviction that he would have lost hope if he had not trusted that he would experience God’s goodness during his lifetime. The verse highlights a deep reliance on faith to endure difficult times, with the expectation of seeing God’s care and kindness in the present world.

King David is speaking in this psalm, reflecting on his struggles and fears while affirming his trust in the LORD. The “land of the living” refers to life on earth, not just a distant future or afterlife. This verse sits within a psalm where David moves between anxiety and confidence, showing that his hope is grounded in his belief that God’s goodness is real and can be seen even amid trouble.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 27:13

  • “unless” (לוּלֵא, lule): This Hebrew word introduces a strong sense of “if not for,” emphasizing how close David felt to despair, and how only his faith kept him from giving up.
  • “believed” (אָמַן, ’aman): This word means to trust or have faith, showing that David’s hope was not wishful thinking but a settled confidence in God.
  • “see” (רָאָה, ra’ah): This verb means to perceive or experience, so David is not just talking about a vague hope, but about actually witnessing God’s goodness in his life.
  • “goodness” (טוּב, tuv): This word points to God’s kindness, generosity, and favor, which David expects to encounter personally.
  • “land” (אֶרֶץ, erets) and “living” (חַי, chai): Together, these words mean the world of the living, stressing that David is looking for God’s goodness in his present, earthly life—not only in some future existence.

Why Psalms 27:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that faith is what sustains a person during hardship, not just positive thinking or personal strength.
  • Psalms 27:13 emphasizes that God’s goodness is something to be expected and seen in this life, not only in the afterlife.
  • The verse connects to the rest of the psalm by showing the tension between fear and faith, and how trust in God’s character provides real hope even when circumstances are bleak.

Where else these words appear

“unless” Hebrew H3884 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • 1 Samuel 25:34 For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

“goodness” Hebrew H2898 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Nehemiah 9:35 For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
  • Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

“believed” Hebrew H539 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Kings 10:5 And he that was over the house, and he that was over the city, the elders also, and the bringers up of the children, sent to Jehu, saying, We are thy servants, and will do all that thou shalt bid us; we will not make any king: do thou that which is good in thine eyes.
  • Psalms 106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: