TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 27:7–14. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
David in these verses expresses,
I.His desire towards God, in many petitions.
If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet, wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer.
1.He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly believes he shall have, a gracious audience: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry, not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, with my voice too." He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he expects, not from his own merit, but God's goodness: Have mercy upon me, and answer me, Psa 27:7. If we pray and believe, God will graciously hear and answer.
2.He takes hold of the kind invitation God had given him to this duty, Psa 27:8. It is presumption for us to come into the presence of the King of kings uncalled, nor can we draw near with any assurance unless he hold forth to us the golden sceptre. David therefore going to pray fastens, in his thoughts, upon the call God had given him to the throne of his grace, and reverently touches, as it were, the top of the golden sceptre which was thereby held out to him. My heart said unto thee (so it begins in the original) or of thee, Seek you my face; he first revolved that, and preached that over again to himself (and that is the best preaching: it is hearing twice what God speaks once) - Thou saidst (so it may be supplied), Seek you my face; and then he returns what he had so meditated upon, in this pious resolution, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Observe here,
(1.)The true nature of religious worship; it is seeking the face of God. This it is in God's precept: Seek you my face; he would have us seek him for himself, and make his favour our chief good; and this it is in the saint's purpose and desire: "Thy face, Lord, will I seek, and nothing less will I take up with." The opening of his hand will satisfy the desire of other living things (Psa 145:16), but it is only the shining of his face that will satisfy the desire of a living soul, Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7.
(2.)The kind of invitation of a gracious God to this duty: Thou saidst, Seek you my face; it is not only permission, but a precept; and his commanding us to seek implies a promise of finding; for he is too kind to say, Seek you me in vain. God calls us to seek his face in our conversion to him and in our converse with him. He calls us, by the whispers of his Spirit to and with our spirits, to seek his face; he calls us by his word, by the stated returns of opportunities for his worship, and by special providences, merciful and afflictive. When we are foolishly making our court to lying vanities God is, in love to us, calling us in him to seek our own mercies.
(3.)The ready compliance of a gracious soul with this invitation. The call is immediately returned: My heart answered, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. The call was general; "Seek you my face;" but, like David, we must apply it to ourselves, "I will seek it." The word does us no good when we transfer it to others, and do not ourselves accept the exhortation. The call was, Seek you my face; the answer is express, Thy face, Lord, will I seek; like that (Jer 3:22), Behold, we come unto thee. A gracious heart readily echoes to the call of a gracious God, being made willing in the day of his power.
3.He is very particular in his requests.
(1.)For the favour of God, that he might not be shut out from that (Psa 27:9): "Thy face, Lord, will I seek, in obedience to thy command; therefore hide not thy face from me; let me never want the reviving sense of the favour; love me, and let me know that thou lovest me; put not thy servant away in anger." He owns he had deserved God's displeasure, but begs that, however God might correct him, he would not cast him away from his presence; for what is hell but that?
(2.)For the continuance of his presence with him: "Thou hast been my help formerly, and thou are the God of my salvation; and therefore whither shall I go but to thee? O leave me not, neither forsake me; withdraw not the operations of they power from me, for then I am helpless; withdraw not the tokens of thy good-will to me, for then I am comfortless." (3.) For the benefit of divine guidance (Psa 27:11): "Teach me thy way, O Lord! give me to understand the meaning of thy providences towards me and make them plain to me; and give me to know my duty in every doubtful case, that I may not mistake it, but may walk rightly, and that I may not do it with hesitation, but may walk surely." It is not policy, but plainness (that is, downright honesty) that will direct us into and keep us in the way of our duty. He begs to be guided in a plain path, because of his enemies, or (as the margin reads it) his observers. His enemies watched for his halting, that they may find occasion against him. Saul eyed David, Sa1 18:9. This quickened him to pray, "Lord, lead me in a plain path, that they may have nothing ill, or nothing that looks ill, to lay to my charge." (4.) For the benefit of a divine protection (Psa 27:12): "Deliver me not over to the will of my enemies. Lord, let them not gain their point, for it aims at my life, and no less, and in such a way as that I have no fence against them, but thy power over their consciences; for false witnesses have risen up against me, that aim further than to take away my reputation or estate, for they breathe out cruelty; it is the blood, the precious blood, they thirst after." Herein David was a type of Christ; for false witnesses rose up against him, and such as breathed out cruelty; but though he was delivered into their wicked hands, he was not delivered over to their will, for they could not prevent his exaltation.
II.He expresses his dependence upon God,
1.That he would help and succour him when all other helps and succours failed him (Psa 27:10): "When my father and my mother forsake me, the nearest and dearest friends I have in the world, from whom I may expect most relief and with most reason, when they die, or are at a distance from me, or are disabled to help me in time of need, or are unkind to me or unmindful of me, and will not help me, when I am as helpless as ever poor orphan was that was left fatherless and motherless, then I know the Lord will take me up, as a poor wandering sheep is taken up, and saved from perishing." His time to help those that trust in him is when all other helpers fail, when it is most for his honour and their comfort. With him the fatherless find mercy. This promise has often been fulfilled in the letter of it. Forsaken orphans have been taken under the special care of the divine Providence, which has raised up relief and friends for them in a way that one would not have expected. God is a surer and better friend than our earthly parents are or can be.
2.That in due time he should see the displays of his goodness, Psa 27:13. He believed he should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; and, if he had not done so, he would have fainted under his afflictions. Even the best saints are subject to faint when their troubles become grievous and tedious, their spirits are overwhelmed, and their flesh and heart fail. But then faith is a sovereign cordial; it keeps them from desponding under their burden and from despairing of relief, keeps them hoping, and praying, and waiting, and keeps up in them good thoughts of God, and the comfortable enjoyment of themselves. But what was it the belief of which kept David from fainting? - that he should see the goodness of the Lord, which now seemed at a distance. Those that walk by faith in the goodness of the Lord shall in due time walk in the sight of that goodness. This he hopes to see in the land of the living, that is,
(1.)In this world, that he should outlive his troubles and not perish under them. It is his comfort, not so much that he shall see the land of the living as that he shall see the goodness of God in it; for that is the comfort of all creature-comforts to a gracious soul.
(2.)In the land of Canaan, and in Jerusalem where the lively oracles were. In comparison with the heathen, that were dead in sin, the land of Israel might fitly be called the land of the living; there God was known, and there David hoped to see his goodness; see Sa2 15:25, Sa2 15:26. Or, (3.), In heaven. It is that alone that may truly be called the land of the living, where there is no more death. This earth is the land of the dying. There is nothing like the believing hope of eternal life, the foresights of that glory, and foretastes of those pleasures, to keep us from fainting under all the calamities of this present time.
3.That in the mean time he should be strengthened to bear up under his burdens (Psa 27:14); whether he says it to himself, or to his friends, it comes all to one; this is that which encourages him: He shall strengthen thy heart, shall sustain thy spirit, and then the spirit shall sustain the infirmity. In that strength,
(1.)Keep close to God and to your duty. Wait on the Lord by faith, and prayer, and a humble resignation to his will; wait, I say, on the Lord; whatever you do, grow not remiss in your attendance upon God.
(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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
[The Holy Spirit] is called Comforter, because he comforts and encourages us and “helps our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself pleads for us with unutterable groanings,” that is, clearly, to God. Often a person for Christ’s sake is treated with contumely and unjustly dishonored; martyrdom is at hand, tortures on every side, fire, swords, wild beasts and the abyss; but the Holy Spirit gently whispers, “Wait for the Lord,” for your present sufferings are slight, while your rewards will be great; endure for a little while, and you will be with the angels forever. “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us.” He portrays for the person the kingdom of heaven and even gives him a glimpse of the paradise of pleasure; and the martyrs, who must present their bodily countenances to their judges, are in spirit already in paradise, despise what appear to be hardships.
The strong heart is that which is not filled with false doctrines or impure thoughts.
"Wait on the Lord, quit yourself like a man: and let your heart be strong, yea wait on the Lord" [Psalm 27:14]. But when shall this be? It is arduous for a mortal, it is slow to a lover: but listen to the voice, that deceives not, of him that says, "Wait on the Lord." Endure the burning of the reins manfully, and the burning of the heart stoutly. Think not that what you do not as yet receive is denied you. That you faint not in despair, see how it is said, "Wait on the Lord."
Great and distinguished successes are brought to completion not without labors. No doubt it is necessary that for every good thing sweat must be caused first. And no wonder if we see that such occurs in great matters, since common and inferior ones are full of care and come to pass through labors. But even in labor we have learned to say, “Be strong, and be of stout heart and wait for the Lord.” For we have taken heart that a glorious result attends zealous actions aimed at virtue, and we shall find that our reward from God is the gift of spiritual courage.
The mind adorned with virility, he is saying, and by means of it getting the better of the onset of misfortunes, is strengthened, and gains the victory and awaits the divine promises, to which it becomes the heir, the body also co-operating. Now, he calls the life looked forward to “land of the living” insofar as it is separated from death and free of corruption and sadness.
In your zeal for good works and your contempt of human praise, be careful lest you wish to assign the good that you do, not to the grace of God but to your own strength. Hold firmly that there can be no ability in you for good will or good works unless you received it by the free gift of divine mercy. Know, therefore, that it is God working in you both to will and to do, for a good will. Accordingly, work out your salvation in fear and trembling. Humble yourself in the sight of God that he may exalt you. Ask from him the beginning of a good will. Ask from him the effects of good works. Seek from him the gift of perseverance. Do not think at any time that you can either will or do anything good, once his assistance has ceased. Ask him to turn away your eyes lest they see vanity; ask him to show you the way in which you should walk; petition him to direct your steps according to his word and let no wickedness rule over you. Pray to him that he direct the works of your hands for you. “Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”
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Summary
Psalm 27:14 stands as a profound concluding exhortation, masterfully encapsulating the psalm's spiritual journey from confident declaration to fervent supplication. It serves as a timeless call to cultivate patient endurance, active courage, and unwavering reliance on God's promised strength, particularly amidst life's most formidable trials. This verse assures believers that faithful waiting on the Lord is met with divine empowerment, transforming the heart to face adversity with steadfast fortitude and unyielding hope.
CONTEXT
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root (H6960) carries a rich and dynamic semantic range, encompassing "to wait," "to hope," "to expect," or "to long for." Its foundational meaning suggests "to bind together" or "to twist," which powerfully conveys a persistent, tenacious clinging to God, akin to a rope tightly woven for strength. Therefore, "waiting" in this context is not passive idleness or resignation, but an active, hopeful, and enduring expectation—a confident looking forward to divine intervention and a deep reliance on God's faithfulness, even when circumstances appear bleak or when His timing is protracted. It implies a steadfast posture of patient anticipation.
This imperative verb (H2388) means "to be strong," "to be firm," "to be resolute," or "to seize/hold fast." It is frequently employed in military contexts or when individuals are called to undertake daunting tasks, such as Joshua's commission before leading Israel into the Promised Land. Here, it is a direct command to fortify one's inner resolve, to be steadfast and unwavering in the face of fear, opposition, or adversity. This courage is not self-generated but is presented as a response to the command to wait on the Lord, implying that divine strength is the ultimate source and sustenance of human fortitude and resilience.
This primitive root (H553) signifies "to be alert," "to be physically or mentally strong," "to confirm," or "to fortify." When applied to the heart, as in this verse, it denotes an internal empowerment that makes one steadfast, courageous, and resolute. It implies an infusion of divine power that enables endurance, resilience, and unwavering resolve, transforming weakness into spiritual fortitude. This strengthening is God's direct act, a promised outcome for those who faithfully wait and courageously trust Him.
Verse Breakdown
"Wait on the LORD"
This opening imperative establishes the foundational posture of faith for the believer. It is a command to actively and patiently expect God's intervention, guidance, and timing. This involves orienting one's entire being—mind, will, and emotions—towards Yahweh, trusting implicitly in His character, His promises, and His perfect sovereignty over all circumstances. It implies a posture of humble dependence and hopeful anticipation, rather than anxious striving or despair, recognizing that God is always at work, even when His activity is not immediately discernible.
"be of good courage"
Following the call to wait, this command emphasizes the necessary internal disposition that accompanies such waiting. It is an exhortation to cultivate inner strength, resilience, and fortitude, not through self-reliance, but as a divinely enabled steadfastness. This courage allows the believer to face trials, uncertainties, and fears without succumbing to despair, knowing that their hope and strength are anchored in God's unfailing presence and power. It is a proactive defiance against the temptation to give up.
"and he shall strengthen thine heart"
This clause provides the divine promise and the profound motivation for the preceding commands. The acts of waiting and being courageous are not undertaken in vain; God Himself pledges to empower the believer. The "heart" (Hebrew: lêb, H3820) refers to the core of one's being—encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and conscience. God's strengthening is thus comprehensive, fortifying one's inner resolve, providing peace amidst chaos, and enabling perseverance through the most arduous difficulties, ultimately transforming human weakness into profound spiritual resilience.
"wait, I say, on the LORD"
The repetition of the initial command serves as a powerful, emphatic reiteration, underscoring its paramount importance and urgency. The phrase "I say" adds a layer of solemnity and personal emphasis, reinforcing the instruction as a vital, foundational principle for a life of faith. This chiastic structure (A-B-C-A') masterfully places the central promise of divine strengthening ("he shall strengthen thine heart") at its core, framed by the repeated call to wait. This arrangement highlights the direct causal link between patient, courageous waiting and the reception of God's empowering presence, making it the psalm's indelible and enduring final message.
Literary Devices
Psalm 27:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with profound impact and memorable force. The most prominent is Repetition, with the imperative phrase "Wait on the LORD" appearing at both the beginning and the end of the verse. This emphatic reiteration serves to underscore the paramount importance and urgency of this command, embedding it as a foundational principle for faithful living and ensuring its retention in the reader's mind. The verse's use of the Imperative Mood in "Wait" and "be of good courage" provides direct, actionable instructions, urging the reader to actively adopt a specific posture of faith, inner resolve, and dependence on God. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a subtle yet highly effective Chiasm (an A-B-C-A' structure: "Wait on the LORD" - "be of good courage" - "he shall strengthen thine heart" - "wait, I say, on the LORD"). This chiastic arrangement masterfully places the central promise of divine empowerment ("he shall strengthen thine heart") at the very core of the verse, framed by the repeated call to wait. This structure highlights the direct causal link between patient, courageous waiting and the reception of God's promised strength, reinforcing the theological truth that divine strengthening is the direct outcome of faithful waiting. The verse also utilizes Metonymy where "heart" (lêb) represents the entire inner person—encompassing the mind, will, and emotions—thereby indicating a holistic, comprehensive strengthening from God that impacts one's entire being.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse powerfully encapsulates a core biblical truth: human perseverance and spiritual fortitude are not self-generated but are divinely empowered by God's unwavering faithfulness. It connects seamlessly to the broader theological themes of God's absolute sovereignty and His active, intimate involvement in the lives of His covenant people. The call to "wait" is not a passive surrender to fate, but an active posture of profound faith, deeply rooted in the understanding that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when inscrutable to human eyes. This theme resonates throughout the entirety of Scripture, consistently emphasizing a radical reliance on God's strength over fallible human effort, and highlighting the transformative power of patient endurance in the face of adversity. It underscores the profound nature of the covenant relationship, wherein God promises to sustain, guide, and empower those who trust Him, affirming that His character is utterly trustworthy and His promises are eternally sure, even when external circumstances suggest otherwise.
Reflection and Application
In a world relentlessly driven by instant gratification, relentless striving, and the pressure to perpetually "do" rather than "be," Psalm 27:14 offers a profound and counter-cultural invitation to a vital spiritual discipline: the art of waiting. It challenges believers to embrace the often-uncomfortable and seemingly unproductive season of waiting, not as a void to be filled, but as a sacred crucible for character formation, a space for deepened intimacy with God, and a training ground for spiritual resilience. This verse profoundly reminds us that true courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the resolute decision to trust God in the midst of our fear, knowing with absolute certainty that His strength is perfected precisely in our weakness. When confronted with unanswered prayers, prolonged trials, uncertain futures, or the crushing weight of disappointment, the command to "wait on the LORD" becomes an unshakeable anchor for the soul. It calls us to humbly surrender our finite timelines and limited understanding to His perfect, infinite wisdom, and to find our true fortitude and inner peace in His unfailing, abiding presence. It teaches us that patient endurance, actively fueled by an unwavering hope in God's faithfulness, is not merely a passive state but a powerful act of worship that unlocks divine empowerment for the journey ahead, transforming our hearts into resilient, steadfast vessels of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "wait on the LORD" truly mean in a practical sense, and how is it different from passive inaction?
"Waiting on the LORD" is far from passive idleness; it is an active, dynamic spiritual discipline. Practically, it means cultivating a posture of patient expectation, trusting implicitly in God's perfect timing and His sovereign plan, even when circumstances are unclear, difficult, or seemingly stagnant. It involves a multi-faceted engagement with God: persistent prayer, diligently seeking God's will through the study and meditation of His Word (Psalm 119:105), actively listening for His guidance through the Holy Spirit, and maintaining an unshakeable hope in His faithfulness, even when the path ahead is obscured. It means humbly surrendering our own timelines, desires, and perceived control to His perfect, divine orchestration, understanding that God is always profoundly at work, even when His activity is not immediately visible or comprehensible to us. It is about persistent hope and confident reliance, rather than anxious striving or despair.
Is the "courage" mentioned something I'm expected to generate entirely on my own, or is it divinely sourced?
No, the courage commanded in Psalm 27:14 is fundamentally not self-generated but divinely empowered and sustained. While it undeniably requires a human response of resolve, steadfastness, and a willingness to step forward in faith, the ability to "be of good courage" ultimately flows from and is sustained by trusting in God's immutable character and His unfailing promises. The verse itself explicitly links this courage directly to God's action: "and he shall strengthen thine heart." This profound connection implies that as we faithfully wait on the Lord, He Himself infuses us with the necessary fortitude, resilience, and inner strength to face our fears, trials, and uncertainties. It is a courage that is rooted in and sustained by faith in His ever-present presence and omnipotent power, as powerfully articulated by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13, where he declares, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
How does God "strengthen my heart" in a tangible and experiential way, beyond just a theological concept?
God strengthens the heart in profoundly tangible and experiential ways, though often subtly, impacting the very core of one's being—mind, will, and emotions. This strengthening is primarily an internal, spiritual empowerment that manifests externally. Tangibly, it can manifest as an unexplainable, supernatural peace that transcends all understanding amidst chaos and turmoil (Philippians 4:7), renewed mental clarity to make wise and discerning decisions, increased emotional resilience to endure prolonged suffering without succumbing to despair, or a supernatural resolve to persevere when one feels utterly depleted and on the verge of giving up. It is the Holy Spirit powerfully working within the believer, conforming them to Christ's image and enabling them to live faithfully, even in profound weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This divine strengthening is a direct, promised result of faithfully waiting on Him and trusting implicitly in His unfailing love and sovereign power.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalm 27:14, with its powerful call to wait on the Lord for strength and courage, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest, most profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent embodiment of perfect waiting and courageous endurance. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated unwavering, patient submission to His Father's divine will, even in the face of immense suffering, profound opposition, and unimaginable betrayal. This culminated in His agonizing wait and prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46), followed by His sacrificial and obedient death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). His glorious resurrection is the ultimate, triumphant demonstration of God's strengthening, vindication, and faithfulness for all who wait in faith. For believers, Christ is not merely the supreme example to emulate but, more importantly, the inexhaustible, living source of this divine strength. It is through our spiritual union with Him that we receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to wait with confident hope, to be courageous in the face of adversity, and to have our hearts supernaturally strengthened (Colossians 1:11). In Christ, the ancient, abstract command to "wait on the LORD" transforms into a living, dynamic reality, as He is the very Lord on whom we wait, and from whom all true, enduring strength flows, enabling us to live a life of steadfast faith until His glorious, promised return (Hebrews 12:2).