Isaiah 40:31 Text
King James Version (KJV)
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.
World English Bible (WEB)
but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
What Isaiah 40:31 Means
The verse sets waiting on the Lord against the exhaustion of even the strong, as verse 30 says young men grow weary and fall. The Hebrew word for "wait" can also mean to hope or to expect, with the sense of being twisted together like a cord, so waiting is active trust, not mere idleness. The promise has four parts: strength will be renewed, they will rise on wings like eagles, they will run without wearying, and they will walk without fainting. The order is worth noticing. The climax is not flying but walking and not fainting, which suggests that most of life is steady, ordinary effort and God supplies stamina for that. "Wait upon" in the KJV sounds like serving, but the meaning is hoping. The verse does not promise freedom from tiredness, only that those who hope in God will be renewed.
Context of Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 40 opens the second major part of the book of Isaiah, which addresses Israel as the people face exile in Babylon and its aftermath. The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah in the eighth century BC, though many scholars date these chapters to the sixth century. The chapter begins with "Comfort, comfort my people." Just before, God is described as the everlasting Creator who does not grow weary. Just after, chapter 41 continues with God encouraging Israel not to fear. To read the whole book, see random verse from Isaiah.
How to Apply Isaiah 40:31
If you are worn out, resist the urge to push through on willpower alone. Make room for rest, prayer, and honest conversation with God and a friend. Renewal often arrives gradually, like a second wind. This verse invites you to expect help for the next mile, not to have the whole route solved today.
Related Verses
- Isaiah 40:28-30 – Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD , the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
- Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the LORD : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD .
- Galatians 6:9 – And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
- Lamentations 3:25-26 – The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD .
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Strength, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to wait on the Lord?
It means to hope in him and trust him actively, expecting his help while you continue your daily life. The Hebrew word suggests confident expectation instead of passive delay. Rest and prayer are part of that.
Does Isaiah 40:31 promise I will never get tired?
No. It promises that those who hope in God will have strength renewed and be able to keep going. The text itself acknowledges that even young people grow weary, so rest and help still matter.
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