Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

PSALMS 27:14KJV
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Psalms 27:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 27:14 mean?

Psalms 27:14 encourages the reader to wait patiently for the LORD, to be brave, and promises that God will give strength to their heart. The verse repeats the call to wait on the LORD, highlighting the importance of trust and perseverance in difficult times.

King David is speaking, likely to himself and to others who hear or read his words. The setting is one of facing trouble or uncertainty, where waiting on God’s timing is not easy. The verse urges the reader to hold on with courage, trusting that God will provide inner strength and support when it is most needed.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 27:14

  • Wait (קָוָה, qavah): This word means more than just passing time; it often carries the sense of hoping or expecting with tension, like waiting for something you deeply long for. It suggests active trust, not passive resignation.
  • Courage (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means to be strong or to take heart. It is a call to inner firmness and resolve, not just outward bravery.
  • Strengthen (אָמַץ, amats): This word means to make strong or to fortify. Here, it points to God giving the reader renewed strength or determination within.
  • Heart (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not just emotions but the center of one’s will, thoughts, and inner life. The promise is that God will strengthen the very core of who you are.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a relationship with the covenant-keeping God.

Why Psalms 27:14 matters

  • The verse clears up the idea that waiting on God is passive; the Hebrew words show it is an active, hope-filled trust that takes real courage.
  • The repetition of “wait on the LORD” stresses how important patience and trust are, especially when answers or relief do not come quickly.
  • In the context of the whole psalm, this verse serves as a summary and encouragement after David’s honest wrestling with fear and longing for God’s presence. It shows that courage and strength come from God, not from self-reliance.