What does Psalm 31:24 mean?
ESV: Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
NIV: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
NASB: Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who wait for the Lord.
CSB: Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
NLT: So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
KJV: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
NKJV: Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
Verse Commentary:
David's final words in Psalm 31 exhort the faithful to be purposeful and brave as they place all their trust in God. This resembles the exhortation the Lord gave Joshua as he was about to lead the Israelites into Canaan. There, they would face giants and fortified cities. Yet God told Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).
Life is full of challenges. Ill health can grip the believer at any moment. Persecution is certain (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). Various trials bring stress and pressure to the believer. However, those who rely on God and trust His timing find strength for every challenge (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:6–9; 4:12–14). Waiting on the Lord involves praying and trusting. It also involves watching for the return of our faithful Lord, who promised, "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done" (Revelation 22:12).
Verse Context:
Psalm 31:23–24 closes the song of praise with a call to worship. After explaining God's prior rescue, and asking for deliverance, David encourages others. Those who love God should humbly rest in the Lord's power, allowing that trust to bring courage.
Chapter Summary:
Because God has rescued him in the past, David chooses to trust the Lord even when he is in danger. Neighbors and friends may abandon him, and enemies may plot, but David is confident he will be vindicated. He also calls on others to be firm and brave as they choose to trust in God.
Chapter Context:
David mentions dangers and enemies in this psalm. He may have been referring to besieged cities such as Keilah (1 Samuel 23:1–15) or Ziklag (1 Samuel 30). Despite the plots of his enemies and abandonment by friends, David trusts in the Lord, receives an answer to his prayer, and encourages his fellow believers to love the Lord and be strong. This echoes themes also seen in Psalms 4, 25, and 71.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
