The Lodestar

The author of this Hebrew poem expresses his trust in the Lord. Line by line, he describes how he will overcome every adversity that rises against him through the power of God. He narrates his story so that every believer then and even now may have confidence in the Lord.

His confidence comes from the fact that the Lord is good and always favours those who approach him for help. He is confident that his prayers will be answered during his lifetime. (“The land of the living” denotes a person's lifetime).

The Lord may not act according to our timetable, but he acts according to his will in his own time. This requires patience. Exhorting the worshippers to “wait for the Lord,” the psalmist encourages them not to give up but to hold on for the Lord’s time.

Waiting could be extended and tiring. People waiting for the Lord to act should be prepared to remain strong and courageous, never giving up.

While growing impatient and at the point of giving up hope, the stories of godly people, ancient and modern, had always motivated me to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord. Wait, do not wilt—that is the punch of the last line that opens and closes with the phrase, “wait for the Lord.”