Psalm 39 7

Psalm 39:7 kjv

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Psalm 39:7 nkjv

"And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

Psalm 39:7 niv

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7 esv

"And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7 nlt

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you.

Psalm 39 verses

Psalm 39 7 Meaning

Psalm 39:7 expresses a profound shift in perspective for the psalmist, moving from despair over the fleeting nature of human life and the vanity of earthly pursuits to a firm declaration of sole reliance and expectation in God. It is a rhetorical question that simultaneously rejects any alternative hope and affirmatively states that the Lord alone is the object and source of all his expectation and security. In essence, realizing the utter futility of placing hope in transient worldly things, the psalmist consciously directs his entire hope and expectation towards the unchanging, eternal God.

Psalm 39 7 Context

Psalm 39 is a personal lament by David, reflecting deeply on the brevity and frailty of human life, suffering, and the transient nature of worldly pursuits. Prior to verse 7, the psalmist recounts his internal struggle to remain silent in the face of the wicked (v. 1-3), followed by a poignant meditation on the ephemeral quality of human existence. He asks God to show him his end, stating that humanity's life is but "a breath" and that man "walks about as a shadow" (v. 4-6), accumulating wealth in vain, for he knows not who will gather it. This existential reflection culminates in the profound shift of verse 7. It marks the pivotal turning point where the psalmist abandons reliance on anything earthly or temporal and definitively anchors his entire expectation and security in God alone, viewing Him as the sole constant in a fleeting world.

Psalm 39 7 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה - wəʿattâ): This is a significant transitional conjunction, common in Psalms, denoting a change in the psalmist's focus or an introduction to a new realization. Having just contemplated the vanity and transience of human existence (vv. 4-6), the "and now" signifies a pivot from introspection and general observation to a direct address and personal declaration of faith, stemming from that contemplation.
• O Lord (אֲדֹנָי - ʾAdonāy): This Hebrew term, distinct from YHWH, denotes God as the sovereign Master, emphasizing His authority, ownership, and the psalmist's relationship as His servant. The choice of ʾAdonāy here is suitable for a cry of petition and dependence, highlighting God's position as the rightful object of all hope and the one to whom the psalmist surrenders. It reinforces the psalmist's submission and acknowledgment of divine Lordship.
• for what (מַה - mah): An interrogative particle meaning "what?" or "for what purpose?" In this context, it is a rhetorical question, not one seeking an answer, but rather emphasizing the utter absence of any other viable object of hope. It highlights the psalmist's complete disillusionment with earthly alternatives and sets up the following declaration.
• do I wait? (קִוֵּיתִי - qiwwêṯî): Derived from the root qāwâ, which means "to wait, to hope, to expect with confidence, to long for." It carries the connotation of an active, earnest, and often patient expectation. Here, in the perfect tense, it conveys a state or a concluded action, implying that the psalmist has ceased to wait for or hope in anything else, or it can be understood as "for what else have I waited (that could possibly be good)?" The question inherently conveys a negative answer regarding worldly hopes.
• My hope (תּוֹחַלְתִּי - tôḥal'tî): This noun, often linked to the verbal root yāḥal (to hope, wait), embodies the very substance of expectation, longing, and confident anticipation. The suffix "-ti" indicates "my," making it intensely personal. It encapsulates all the psalmist's future expectation, security, and longing. It’s his lifeline, his ultimate assurance.
• is in You (לָךְ - lāḵ): A prepositional phrase meaning "to You" or "for You." The direct, personal pronoun "You" refers unequivocally to God. This phrase identifies the singular and exclusive object of the psalmist's hope, emphasizing that all his trust, expectation, and future security are entirely and unreservedly directed towards God, and nowhere else.

• "And now, O Lord...": This opening signals a decisive turning point in the psalmist's address. It marks the shift from self-absorbed meditation and observation of humanity's fleeting nature to a direct, intimate, and purposeful address to God, the one immutable reality. It highlights that the preceding thoughts have led directly to this realization and declaration of faith.
• "for what do I wait? My hope is in You.": This phrase captures the profound spiritual transformation. The rhetorical question expresses the psalmist's rejection of all false hopes and trivial earthly attachments he has just cataloged. It is answered immediately and powerfully by a singular, affirmative declaration. The contrast is stark: from the emptiness of waiting for anything else to the absolute certainty and sole satisfaction found in waiting for the Lord. It signifies a radical realignment of the heart and mind, from despair and vanity to divine certainty. This embodies true wisdom: understanding limitations and finding stability in the divine.

Psalm 39 7 Bonus section

The strong contrast in Psalm 39 is often noted by scholars between the "breath" (hebel) or vapor of human life (v. 5-6), which implies futility and transience, and the enduring reality of God. This polemical aspect implicitly challenges any ancient (or modern) cultural worldview that placed ultimate security or identity in tangible achievements, human wisdom, or accumulated riches, portraying them all as mere "breath" compared to the eternality and steadfastness of the Lord. The psalmist's resolve in v. 7 stems from a hard-won clarity, suggesting that suffering or acute awareness of human limitation can serve as a catalyst for directing one's ultimate trust towards God alone. This verse not only provides solace but also presents a theological model for facing disillusionment: turning away from unreliable worldly hopes and wholeheartedly embracing the dependable hope found in God.

Psalm 39 7 Commentary

Psalm 39:7 represents a crucial theological pivot within a deeply reflective lament. After contemplating the pervasive brevity and vanity of human life, and acknowledging the futility of chasing temporal achievements or wealth (vv. 4-6), the psalmist decisively shifts his entire orientation. The rhetorical question, "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?" is not one born of indecision, but rather a profound renunciation of every other potential source of hope—all earthly possessions, human relationships, self-strength, or future ambitions. These are implicitly recognized as empty and fleeting. Immediately following, the powerful affirmation "My hope is in You" establishes God as the sole, enduring, and truly worthy object of the psalmist's expectation and security. This is an active and confident placement of trust, not a passive resignation. It highlights that true wisdom in the face of life's undeniable impermanence and suffering is to redirect one's desires and future certainty from the visible and temporary to the invisible, eternal God, the only truly stable anchor for the soul. This verse beautifully captures the journey from existential despair to singular divine reliance. For practical application, it invites believers to critically assess their own dependencies and, following the psalmist's lead, continually recenter their deepest hopes upon Christ alone amidst life's inevitable uncertainties and losses.