What does it mean to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14)?

Response

In the Psalms, Proverbs, and many other books of the Bible, we encounter directives to wait on the Lord, such as this one: “Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: Wait, I say, on the LORD” «Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.», (Psalm 27:14, KJV). Most contemporary translations use “wait for the Lord.” To English readers, the concept of waiting on the Lord may appear passive, but a deeper examination reveals it to be quite the opposite.

The core idea behind waiting on the Lord is patient, unwavering trust. Psalm 27 as a whole is a plea to God for assistance, beautifully demonstrating the essence of waiting on the Lord. Throughout the poetic verses of the psalm, David showcases genuine faith and bold reliance on God, grounded in his firm belief that the Lord will deliver and protect him in times of trouble.

Initially, we learn that waiting on the Lord involves placing our trust in Him. David displayed profound faith in the Lord, who served as his light, salvation, and fortress (Psalm 27:1-2). This active trust dispels fear and hopelessness: “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident” (verses 2–3).

Another way to wait on the Lord is by seeking Him. David expressed his trust in the Lord by yearning to be in His presence, to worship in His temple and commune with Him: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple”

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.”, (Psalm 27:4). In God’s dwelling place, praising and worshiping the Lord, David felt safe and secure: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD” (verses 5–6).

We can wait on the Lord through prayer, as David did in eager expectation of deliverance (Psalm 27:7-14). David asked God for wisdom, direction (verse 11), and protection (verse 12), wholly believing he would “see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (verse 13). Those who wait on the Lord can fully expect Him to fulfill their hope: “Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame” “Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.”, (Psalm 25:3, ESV).

Waiting on the Lord involves the confident expectation of a positive result in which we place great hope. This expectation is based on knowledge of and trust in God. Those who do not know the Lord will not wait on Him; neither will those who fail to trust Him. We must be confident of who God is and what He is capable of doing. Those who wait on the Lord do not lose heart in their prayers: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”, (1 John 5:14). Waiting on the Lord renews our strength “but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”, (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting on the Lord by trusting, seeking, and praying establishes our faith and brings serenity and stability: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:1-3). As this passage affirms, waiting on the Lord is also a testimony to others who will see our faith and, as a result, put their trust in God.

Waiting on the Lord brings God’s blessings: “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 64:4; see also 1 Corinthians 1:7).

Sometimes we might feel as though the Lord does not see or hear us—that He’s not answering our prayers. During these moments, we can put our complete faith and trust in the living God. We can wait on the Lord in eager anticipation, knowing that He is with us and in control of our lives. He will do what He has promised. He will rescue and save us. He is always working for our good, even when we don’t feel Him “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”, (Romans 8:28).

In Romans 8:28, by being patient, courageous, actively trusting, seeking, and praying, we can learn to wait on the Lord.