The second most common word is yahal. It’s used forty-two times in the Old Testament, and the nuance is more directly tied to confidence or hope.4 In fact, the translators of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament, often used the Greek word hope for this Hebrew word. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! (Ps. 31:24) But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. (Ps. 38:15)
