Psalm 31 24

Psalm 31:24 kjv

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

Psalm 31:24 nkjv

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:24 niv

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

Psalm 31:24 esv

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Psalm 31:24 nlt

So be strong and courageous,
all you who put your hope in the LORD!

Psalm 31 verses

Psalm 31 24 Meaning

Psalm 31:24 serves as a powerful concluding exhortation, drawing on David's experience of God's faithfulness despite severe trials. It calls on all who trust in the Lord to demonstrate spiritual and emotional fortitude, specifically urging them to be resolute and find courage. This is not a passive waiting but an active, hopeful expectation, firmly anchored in the certainty of God's eventual vindication and steadfast love, which David himself has just proclaimed and experienced. The verse functions as a communal command to those who rely on the Lord to remain steadfast amidst adversity.

Psalm 31 24 Context

Psalm 31 is a powerful expression of David's prayer during a period of profound distress and abandonment. The psalm begins with an immediate plea for deliverance from enemies and a deep confession of trust in the Lord (vv. 1-8). It then transitions into a raw lament, detailing his suffering, physical decay, social ostracization, and the taunts of his foes (vv. 9-13). Despite this profound anguish, David reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, committing his spirit into God's hands (vv. 14-18), mirroring words Jesus would later echo on the cross. The psalm then shifts dramatically to praise, as David extols God's steadfast love and protection shown to those who fear Him, reflecting on his own deliverance and God's hearing of his cries (vv. 19-23). Verse 24, "Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!", serves as the culminating conclusion, moving from individual experience to a universal encouragement. It is a testimony and an imperative: because God has proven Himself faithful to David, others facing similar trials should likewise put their hope and trust in Him, confidently waiting for His deliverance and intervention. It transforms David's personal lament and deliverance into a prophetic word for the entire community of faith.

Psalm 31 24 Word analysis

• Be strong (חִזְקוּ - Chizku):

  • From the Hebrew root חזק (chazaq), meaning "to be strong, to grow firm, to become mighty."
  • This is an imperative plural verb, indicating a direct command to a group.
  • It implies physical and moral firmness, endurance, and resoluteness, often in the face of opposition or demanding tasks.
  • It’s frequently used in the Old Testament as an exhortation to courage and perseverance, especially when entering difficult circumstances (e.g., conquering Canaan).
  • It speaks of an inner fortitude, not just brute strength.

• and let your heart take courage (וְיַאֲמֵץ לְבַבְכֶם - v'ya'ametz levavkhem):

  • and let take courage (וְיַאֲמֵץ - v'ya'ametz): From the root אמץ (amatz), meaning "to be strong, bold, valiant, to make strong."
    • This word often accompanies chazaq, forming a common Hebrew idiomatic pair that reinforces the idea of strength and resolution.
    • It can refer to both physical strength and moral steadfastness, implying firmness and unwavering resolve.
    • The verbal form here suggests a causative action, "let it be strong" or "cause it to be courageous," reinforcing the command aspect.
  • your heart (לְבַבְכֶם - levavkhem):
    • Levav (heart) in Hebrew thought is not merely the seat of emotions but the totality of one's inner being: intellect, will, affections, and conscience.
    • Therefore, "let your heart take courage" means to be strong and resolved in one's mind, will, and innermost self, not just in external actions. It is a command to cultivate inner bravery and determination.

• all you who wait for the Lord! (כָּל־הַמְיַחֲלִים לַיהוָה - kol ham'yachalim l'Adonai):

  • all (כָּל־ - kol): Universality; this command applies to every individual fitting the description that follows.
  • who wait (הַמְיַחֲלִים - ham'yachalim): From the root יחל (yachal), meaning "to wait, hope, look for, tarry."
    • This is a Piel participle, implying an ongoing, active state of expectant waiting or hoping. It is not passive resignation but an active, hopeful endurance.
    • It conveys a posture of hopeful expectation and patient trust, looking earnestly toward God's promised action and intervention. It often signifies reliance on God's future fulfillment of His word.
  • for the Lord (לַיהוָה - l'Adonai): Refers to YHWH, the covenant name of God, indicating a relationship built on His faithfulness and promises. This implies that the waiting is directed specifically toward the sovereign God of Israel.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Be strong and let your heart take courage": This is a hendiadys, where two words are used to express one intensified idea. "Strength" (chazaq) implies active effort and resolve, while "courage" (amatz) pertains to the internal disposition and mental fortitude. Together, they create a powerful and comprehensive command for unwavering spiritual and mental steadfastness, rooted in personal conviction rather than just external display. It calls for an inner wellspring of strength that will manifest outwardly.
  • "all you who wait for the Lord!": This phrase identifies the specific audience for the preceding command and underscores the nature of their relationship with God. "Waiting for the Lord" (yachal l'Adonai) encapsulates faithful endurance and hopeful expectation, a theme deeply woven into the Psalms and prophetic literature. It signifies dependence, patient trust in God's timing, and persistent hope in His ultimate salvation and vindication. It implies that the strength and courage commanded are not self-generated but are born from and sustained by this active reliance on the covenant God, who has proven Himself faithful.

Psalm 31 24 Bonus section

• Theological Implication: The verse suggests that spiritual strength and courage are not inherent human traits but are nurtured through active faith and hope in God. The command "be strong and let your heart take courage" is inextricably linked to the act of "waiting for the Lord," implying that genuine strength arises from humble dependence and confident expectation in Him.
• Active vs. Passive Waiting: The Hebrew term yachal (wait/hope) implies an active, often painful, longing and expectation, not a passive sitting around. It is a dynamic state of yearning and anticipation, reflecting a soul's commitment to God's future work despite current difficulties.
• Contrast with Worldly Reliance: Implicitly, the call to wait for the Lord stands in stark contrast to relying on human power, self-reliance, or false idols. True strength and hope are found only in YHWH.
• A Call to Endure: In the broader context of David's laments and God's eventual deliverance, this verse serves as a crucial call for perseverance for believers throughout generations, affirming that God's justice and rescue are assured for those who patiently await His timing.

Psalm 31 24 Commentary

Psalm 31:24 encapsulates the spiritual lessons drawn from David's intense suffering and glorious deliverance: God is faithful to those who trust in Him. This verse moves beyond individual experience to deliver a communal imperative: every person who actively waits for the Lord, living in hopeful anticipation of His divine intervention, is called to cultivate profound inner strength and unwavering courage. This is not mere stoicism but a strength sourced in their steadfast expectation of God's timing and unwavering reliance on His character, particularly His steadfast love. It's an active patience, forged in trials, looking forward to the Lord's redemptive work, and exemplified by David himself in the preceding verses.