Let Me Count The Ways

 So, I'm not finished exploring hope. I say that by way of warning. In my re-examination of what I missed of hope in the Hebrew Scriptures, I found Psalm 31. This Psalm is really all about hope, but the Hebrew word for hope (tiqwah Strong's H8615) doesn't show up. Instead just about every other word for hope is used. So, let's take the tour of the ways our Creator and Savior is our hope.

First, our Savior is our "refuge": "For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness deliver me." (Psalm 31:1 NASB) This is probably the most common use of hope in Psalms. It translates the Hebrew word, chasah (Strong's H2620). And this makes sense to us because the whole point of a refuge is provide hope of a future in times of danger. So, Jesus is our "refuge" when we're in danger.

Next, our Savior is who we can trust: "I hate those who regard vain idols, But I trust in the LORD." (Psalm 31:6 NASB) This is the Hebrew word which, in the prophetic works, was most often translated as hope. It is the Hebrew word, batach (Strong's H982). The contrast is in what we hope, either gods or the God. We can trust in the created, even spiritual powers and authorities. Or we can trust in our Creator, who also created these other, lessor, options.

These two options are repeated twice each, "trust" in verse 14, and "refuge" in verse 19. And yet, nearly every verse has something to say about hope in some way, either well-placed or misplaced. God is our "Rock", our "Deliverer", "The One on whom we call". And then, finally, He is the One on whom we wait:

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD." (Psalm 31:24 NASB) In most modern translations, where the NASB has "hope", they have "wait". The word in Hebrew is yachal (Strong's H3176), which has a sense of waiting with expectation of receiving whatever is being waited on. There's no doubt involved, but there is excited anticipation. Are you waiting on our Savior with bated breath? Are you seeking His kingdom with eager anticipation that you will see it? Do you scan the skies looking for His appearing? Be strong and take courage. He comes!

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation