What Does Psalms 27:14 Mean?

Psalms 27:14 meaning: People want to understand what it means to 'wait on the LORD' and how this waiting relates to receiving courage and strength from God.

Patient endurancewait on the LORD · good courage · strengthen thine heart
Ask AI about Psalms 27:14Get a personal, plain-English answer — free

Clear Bible Translation

Modern English
Wait on the LORD. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD.

King James Version

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Explanation and Context

Psalms 27:14 commands believers to practice patient endurance while trusting in God's timing and deliverance. The Hebrew word 'qavah' (wait) means to actively hope with expectation, not passive resignation. David repeats this command for emphasis, linking patient waiting directly to divine strengthening of the heart. This verse serves as the psalm's climactic conclusion, where David moves from describing his fears to declaring confident trust in God's faithfulness.

David wrote this psalm during a period of persecution, likely while fleeing from enemies who used false testimony and threats of violence against him.

David wrote this psalm while facing enemies who sought his destruction through false accusations and violence. The preceding verses reveal his struggle with fear and his plea for God's guidance and protection from those who 'breathe out cruelty.' Verse 13 shows David nearly fainting from despair before choosing to believe in God's goodness. Verse 14 serves as both David's personal resolution and his counsel to others facing similar trials.

When facing prolonged difficulties or unanswered prayers, believers must actively maintain hope in God's character and promises rather than demanding immediate resolution. This patient endurance becomes a source of spiritual strength, as trusting God's timing develops resilience that passive waiting cannot provide.

Read the full chapter: Psalms 27

Connected Passages

The Book of Psalms
Book Summary

The Book of Psalms

Psalm 1: Two Paths

This psalm describes two paths. The blessed person does not follow the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners, and does not sit among the scornful. Instead, this person delights in the law of the LORD and thinks on it day and night.

Premium

Unlock the full Psalms summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Psalms — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 150 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Psalms summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

All 66 book summaries • unlimited AI tools • $99/year after trial

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Already have an account? Log in

Reader Questions

What is the historical background of Psalms 27:14?
David wrote this psalm during a period of persecution, likely while fleeing from enemies who used false testimony and threats of violence against him.
What is the main theme of Psalms 27:14?
The primary theme is patient endurance. Related themes include divine strengthening and trust in God's timing and courage under trial.
Where is Psalms 27:14 in the Bible?
Psalms, chapter 27, verse 14. Read Psalms 27

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Browse All Verse Explanations →