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Read the Bible

New King James Version

Psalms 27:13

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - David;   Testimony;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Faith;  

Dictionaries:

- Fausset Bible Dictionary - Hezekiah;   Psalms;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Death;   English Versions;   Faith;   Greek Versions of Ot;   Psalms;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Faith ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Psalms the book of;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Seeing;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Lively;   Psalms, Book of;   Text of the Old Testament;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Berakot;   Sin;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for April 16;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodnessin the land of the living.
Hebrew Names Version
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
King James Version
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
English Standard Version
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
New Century Version
I truly believe I will live to see the Lord 's goodness.
New English Translation
Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord 's favor in the land of the living?
Amplified Bible
I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
New American Standard Bible
I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
World English Bible
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
Geneva Bible (1587)
I should haue fainted, except I had beleeued to see the goodnes of the Lord in the land of the liuing.
Legacy Standard Bible
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of YahwehIn 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.
Contemporary English Version
but I know I will live to see how kind you are.
Complete Jewish Bible
If I hadn't believed that I would see Adonai 's goodness in the land of the living, . . .
Darby Translation
Unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah in the land of the living …!
Easy-to-Read Version
But I really believe that I will see the Lord 's goodness before I die.
George Lamsa Translation
But I have believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Good News Translation
I know that I will live to see the Lord 's goodness in this present life.
Lexham English Bible
Surely I believe that I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
Literal Translation
I would have fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah in the land of the living.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Neuerthelesse, I beleue verely to se the goodnesse of the LORDE in the londe of the lyuynge.
American Standard Version
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of Jehovah In the land of the living.
Bible in Basic English
I had almost given up my hope of seeing the blessing of the Lord in the land of the living.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!--
King James Version (1611)
I had fainted, vnlesse I had beleeued to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the liuing.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
If I had not beleued [veryly] to see the goodnes of God in the lande of the liuing: [their spite had kylled me.]
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
English Revised Version
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
I bileue to see the goodis of the Lord; in the lond of `hem that lyuen.
Update Bible Version
[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of Yahweh In the land of the living.
Webster's Bible Translation
[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
New Living Translation
Yet I am confident I will see the Lord 's goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
New Life Bible
I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living.
New Revised Standard
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I believe that I shall see - The goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living,
Douay-Rheims Bible
(26-13) I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
Revised Standard Version
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
Young's Literal Translation
I had not believed to look on the goodness of Jehovah In the land of the living!
THE MESSAGE
I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. Stay with God ! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God .
New American Standard Bible (1995)
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

Contextual Overview

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When You said, "Seek My face," My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." 9 Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me. 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence. 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

fainted: Psalms 42:5, Psalms 56:3, Psalms 116:9-11, 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:8-14, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 2:8

in the: Psalms 52:5, Psalms 56:13, Psalms 142:5, Job 33:30, Isaiah 38:11, Isaiah 38:19, Jeremiah 11:19, Ezekiel 26:20

Reciprocal: Judges 13:23 - he have showed Psalms 40:1 - I waited Psalms 62:5 - wait Psalms 119:50 - This Psalms 119:92 - I should Isaiah 33:2 - be gracious Isaiah 40:31 - not faint Isaiah 50:10 - let Jeremiah 45:3 - I fainted Ezekiel 32:23 - the land Jonah 2:7 - my soul Luke 18:1 - and not Luke 21:19 - General 2 Thessalonians 3:13 - be not weary Hebrews 11:1 - is the 1 Peter 3:10 - see 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting

Cross-References

Genesis 25:23
And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."
Genesis 25:33
Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
Genesis 27:8
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.
Genesis 27:24
Then he said, "Are you really my son Esau?" He said, "I am."
Genesis 27:28
Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine.
Genesis 27:36
And Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!" And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"
Genesis 27:45
until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?"
Genesis 43:9
I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
1 Samuel 25:24
So she fell at his feet and said: "On me, my lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant.
2 Samuel 14:9
And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, "My lord, O king, let the iniquity be on me and on my father's house, and the king and his throne be guiltless."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

[I had fainted],.... When false witnesses rose up against him, and threatened to take away his life, and the life of his friends, in the most barbarous and cruel manner: the people of God are subject to faintings, in the present state of things; by reason of afflictions; because of the nature, number, and continuance of them; and especially when they apprehend them to be in wrath and sore displeasure: and on account of their sins, and the corruptions of their hearts; fearing lest there should be no pardon for them; or that the true work of grace is not in them; or that they shall fall, to the dishonour of the name of God, and to the reproach of his, cause and interest; or that they shall perish eternally: likewise, by reason of Satan's temptations, which are sometimes so grievous, that if Christ did not pray for them, their faith would fail; and also on account of the hidings of God's face, which they cannot bear: they are sometimes ready to faint in the way of their duty, in the course of their profession, because of the difficulties and discouragements, reproaches and persecutions, they meet with; and sometimes in the expectation of blessings; and of the fulfilment of promises, and of answers of prayer, which have been long deferred. This clause is not in the original text, but is a supplement of our translators; and it is generally agreed there is a defect of expression, which must be supplied in some way or other: the Jewish interpreters generally refer it to the preceding words; one supplies thus m, "those false witnesses would have rose up against me, and consumed me"; another n after this manner, "mine enemies had almost got the dominion over me"; a third o, "I had almost perished at their sayings": and a fourth p, "and they would have destroyed me". Perhaps it may be as well supplied from Psalms 119:92; "I should then have perished in mine affliction"; it follows,

unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living: both the providential goodness of the Lord, in supplying him with the, necessaries of life, and in delivering him out of the hands of his enemies; and his special goodness, which he has laid up in his covenant, and in his son; even all spiritual blessings in Christ, in whom he causes all his goodness to pass before his people. The psalmist believed that he should "see"; that is, enjoy all these, or whatever was needful for him; all the good things of life, all special favours; as supports under afflictions, views of pardoning grace under a sense of sin, strength against Satan's temptations, and deliverance out of them; the discoveries of the love of God, and the light of his countenance, after desertions, and divine refreshments in his house, from his word and ordinances; and at last all the glories of the other world; and faith in these things is the best antidote against faintings. By "the land of the living" may be meant either the land of Canaan, where the living God was worshipped, and living saints dwelt, in opposition to other lands, the habitations of men dead in sins; and at a distance from which David now might be; or else the world in general, in opposition to the place and state of the dead; or, as some think, heaven, or he life of the world to come, as Kimchi expresses it; and so Apollinarius paraphrases it,

"I shall see the blessed God with my eyes in the land of the blessed.''

The word לולא, rendered "unless", is one of the fifteen words which are extraordinarily pointed in the Hebrew Bible.

m Jarchi. n Aben Ezra. o Kimchi. p Abendana, Not. in Miclol Yophi in loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I had fainted, unless I had believed - The words “I had fainted” are supplied by the translators, but they undoubtedly express the true sense of the passage. The psalmist refers to the state of mind produced by the efforts of his enemies to destroy him, as mentioned in Psalms 27:12. So numerous, mighty, and formidable were they, that he says his only support was his faith in God; his belief that he would yet be permitted to see the goodness of God upon the earth. In this time of perplexity and trial he had confidence in God, and believed that He would uphold him, and would permit him to see the evidences of His goodness and mercy while yet on the earth. What was the ground of this confidence he does not say, but he had the fullest belief that this would be so. He may have had some special assurance of it, or he may have had a deep internal conviction of it, sufficient to calm his mind; but whatever was the source of this confidence it was that which sustained him. A similar state of feeling is indicated in the remarkable passage in Job, Job 19:25-27. See the notes at that passage.

To see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living - That is, that I should “live,” and yet see and enjoy the tokens of the divine favor here upon the earth.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 27:13. I had fainted, unless I had believed — The words in italics are supplied by our translators; but, far from being necessary, they injure the sense. Throw out the words I had fainted, and leave a break after the verse, and the elegant figure of the psalmist will be preserved: "Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" ----What! what, alas! should have become of me!

Dr. Hammond has observed that there is a remarkable elegance in the original, which, by the use of the beautiful figure aposiopesis, makes an abrupt breaking off in the midst of a speech. He compares it to the speech of Neptune to the winds that had raised the tempest to drown the fleet of AEneas.-AEneid. lib. i., ver. 131.

Eurum ad se zephyrumque vocat: dehinc talia fatur;

Tantane vos generis tenuit fiducia vestri?

Jam coelum terramque, meo sine numine, venti,

Miscere, et tantas audetis tollere moles?

Quos ego-sed motos praestat componere fluctus.

To Eurus and the western blast he cried,

Does your high birth inspire this boundless pride?

Audacious winds! without a power from me,

To raise at will such mountains on the sea?

Thus to confound heaven, earth, the air, and main;

Whom I------but, first, I'll calm the waves again.

PITTS.


 
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