Psalm 27:14: Edit history

Context

The superscription of Psalm 27 identifies it as "A Psalm of David." Verses 1–6 are a declaration of trust: "The LORD is my light and my salvation." The tone shifts in verses 7–12, where the psalmist, surrounded by enemies and false witnesses, pleads not to be forsaken. In verse 13 the psalmist declares his belief that he will see the goodness of the LORD "in the land of the living," and verse 14 then brings the psalm to a close.

In the Hebrew text, the verb rendered "wait" (qavah) carries the senses of both "to wait" and "to hope." The verb occurs twice, at the beginning and at the end of the verse, with the exhortation to be strong and courageous placed between the two occurrences. The New Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Standard Version translate the verb as "wait."

Interpretation

• As self-exhortation: On this reading, the psalmist, having finished his lament, addresses himself. The verse is understood in a manner similar to Psalm 42, where the psalmist addresses himself as "O my soul."
• As exhortation to the community: Another view holds that the verse is a response given in a worship setting by a priest or worship leader to the one who has lamented, or to the congregation. Psalm 31:24 likewise ends with an exhortation.
• General Christian application: Sermons and commentaries across many denominations read the waiting in this verse not as passive resignation but as the patient endurance of faith. Noting that the call to be strong and courageous echoes Moses' exhortation to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31), some interpreters explain it as courage grounded in God's promises.

Questions of Application

The verse is not the subject of any significant doctrinal dispute among denominations. Nevertheless, the following questions have been raised:

• Should waiting be understood as inaction, or as an active posture of enduring in trust?
• Some observe that citing this verse as though it guaranteed a particular outcome (such as passing an examination or being healed) goes beyond its context. The psalm, they argue, looks not toward a specific outcome but toward God himself.

In the Korean Church

The verse is frequently cited, often together with Psalm 27:1, in sermons encouraging church members facing hardship, at prayer meetings, and on cards and other printed materials.

Related Passages

• Psalm 27:1
• Psalm 31:24
• Psalm 37:7
• Isaiah 40:31
• Deuteronomy 31:6