Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 27:14
“Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
NIV · New International Version
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
WEB · World English Bible
Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.
What does Psalms 27:14 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 27:14
Wait on the Lord,.... This, with what follows, is spoken by the psalmist either to himself or to others, or it may be to both, upon the rich experience he declares in Psalm 27:13, it becomes believers to wait on the Lord for the common blessings of life, for even the eyes of all wait upon him for their daily food; and for the light of his countenance, when it is withdrawn from them, for he will return again at the set time; and for answers of prayer, which will be given sooner or later; and for the performance of his promises, which are yea and amen in Christ: they should wait upon him in his house and ordinances constantly, with reverence and godly fear; they should wait upon him as…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 27:7–14
(2.) Keep up your spirits in the midst of the greatest dangers and difficulties: Be of good courage; let your hearts be fixed, trusting in God, and your minds stayed upon him, and then let none of these things move you. Those that wait upon the Lord have reason to be of good courage.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 27:13–14
14. Wait thou on Jehovah. It may be doubted whether David, having in the preceding verses spoken of himself, here addresses his discourse to others, and exhorts them by his own example to fortitude and persevering patience, as he does in the conclusion of Psalm 31:19, where, after speaking concerning himself particularly, he makes a transition, and addresses himself to all the godly. But as he speaks here in the singular number, and uses no mark to show that he directs his discourse to others, it is in my opinion probable that he applies it to himself, the more to encourage his confidence in God, lest at any time his heart should faint. [592] As he was conscious of his weakness, and knew…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 27:11–14 (WEB)
11Teach me your way, LORD. Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies. 12Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty. 13I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14Wait for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for the LORD.
Cross references
- Isaiah 40:31
but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
- Psalms 31:24
- Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
- Psalms 130:5
- Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- Psalms 37:34
- Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it, because it will surely come. It won’t delay.
- Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.