King James Version

What Does Psalms 31:24 Mean?

Psalms 31:24 in the King James Version says “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Psalms 31:24 · KJV

Hope

Context

22

For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Read Psalms 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31 concludes with exhortation to courage grounded in divine strengthening, addressed to all who hope in God. This provides pastoral encouragement for persevering faith—courage is both commanded and enabled by God's empowering grace.

Be of good courage (Hebrew chazaq—be strong, firm, courageous, resolute) appears in dual form: be strong and He shall strengthen—the command and enabling grace. God commands courage while simultaneously providing it. This is characteristic of biblical imperatives: God commands what He then enables. Believers are called to courage knowing God supplies strength courage requires.

And he shall strengthen your heart uses same Hebrew root (chazaq). God will make your heart (leb, inner person—mind, will, emotions) strong, firm, courageous. Heart represents core of personality and decision-making. God's strengthening isn't superficial or merely external but penetrates to center of being, fortifying from within. This is sanctifying grace—God working in us both to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

All ye that hope in the LORD identifies recipients. Hope (yachal) means to wait expectantly, trust with confident expectation. This isn't vague wishful thinking but grounded confidence in God's character and promises. Those who hope in LORD (YHWH, covenant name) trust His faithfulness and wait for deliverance. Exhortation addresses entire community of faith—not individuals in isolation but collective people of God encouraging one another.

This concluding verse provides pastoral application of entire psalm's testimony. David has modeled faith under pressure—honest lament, deliberate trust, grateful praise. Now exhorts others to follow this pattern: be courageous in trials, knowing God strengthens those who hope in Him. Reformed theology emphasizes sanctification includes corporate encouragement—believers don't persevere individually but within community, exhorting and strengthening one another.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Command to be strong and courageous echoes Moses' and God's repeated exhortation to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6-7,23; Joshua 1:6-7,9,18). As Joshua faced conquest challenges, he needed courage grounded in God's presence and promises. David invokes this tradition, calling God's people to Joshua-like courage as they face opposition and trial.

Phrase he shall strengthen your heart appears in Psalm 27:14 in nearly identical form. This repetition suggests common liturgical exhortation in Israel's worship—refrain that concluded psalms of trust and lament. Community would sing these words together, mutually encouraging perseverance and hope. Worship wasn't merely vertical (individual to God) but horizontal (believer to believer), building corporate faith.

Early church applied this exhortation to Christian discipleship. Paul repeatedly commanded believers to be strong in Lord and in power of His might (Ephesians 6:10), to be strong in grace in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1), to stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13). Peter exhorted that God of all grace would perfect, establish, strengthen, settle them (1 Peter 5:10). New Testament continues Psalms' pattern: courage commanded, God's empowering promised.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God will strengthen your heart enable obeying command to be of good courage?
  2. What is relationship between hoping in LORD and receiving divine strengthening?
  3. In what specific circumstances do you need courage today, and how can you trust God to provide it?
  4. How does corporate encouragement (all ye that hope) help believers persevere where individual effort might fail?
  5. How does David's psalm model pattern of honest struggle leading to strengthened faith and then encouraging others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
חִ֭זְקוּ1 of 6

“Be of good courage”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ2 of 6

“and he shall strengthen”

H553

to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)

לְבַבְכֶ֑ם3 of 6

“your heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

כָּל4 of 6
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַ֝מְיַחֲלִ֗ים5 of 6

“all ye that hope”

H3176

to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope

לַיהוָֽה׃6 of 6

“in the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 31:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 31:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 27:14Psalms 146:5Colossians 1:11Isaiah 35:3-4Hebrews 12:12-13Psalms 29:11

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 31 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes