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Meaning, commentary and cross references

Psalms 31:24

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
Psalms 31:24 (ESV)

In other translations

  • KJV · King James Version

    Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

  • NIV · New International Version

    Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

  • WEB · World English Bible

    Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.

What does Psalms 31:24 mean?

John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 31:24

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,.... See Gill on Psalm 27:14; by this instance of God's wonderful kindness to the psalmist, he would have the saints take heart, and be of good cheer, even in the greatest distresses, since their case cannot be worse than his was; and yet he had deliverance out of it; all ye that hope in the Lord; for the eye of the Lord is on such, and he takes delight in them, Psalm 33:18. The Targum is, "who hope for", or "trust in the word of the Lord"; the essential Word, the promised Messiah.

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 31:19–24

He would have them set their hope in God (Psa 31:24): "Be of good courage; have a good heart on it; whatever difficulties or dangers you may meet with, the God you trust in shall by that trust strengthen your heart." Those that hope in God have reason to be of good courage, and let their hearts be strong, for, as nothing truly evil can befal them, so nothing truly good for them shall be wanting to them. In singing this we should animate ourselves and one another to proceed and persevere in our Christian course, whatever threatens us, and whoever frowns upon us.

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 31:22–24

24. Be of good courage. This exhortation is to be understood in the same way as the preceding; for the steadfastness which the Psalmist here enjoins is founded on the love of God of which he had spoken, when renouncing all the enticements of the world, we embrace with our whole hearts the defense and protection which he promises to us. Nor is his exhortation to courage and firmness unnecessary; because, when any one begins to rely on God, he must lay his account with and arm himself for sustaining many assaults from Satan.

John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

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Context: Psalms 31:21–24 (WEB)

21Praise be to the LORD, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city. 22As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you. 23Oh love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly. 24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.

Read all of Psalms 31

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