The Hebrew word tiqvah (Strong's Concordance #H8615), which means to expect something or to long for it to occur, and yachal (Strong's #H3176), which means to patiently wait, are the most common words translated as "hope" in the Old Testament. The English word itself is found 130 times in the King James Bible translation.
The Bible does speak of the "hope" of the wicked (those who do evil). Although they trust in their worldly possessions (Job 31:24), they will ultimately perish without mercy (Job 8:13, 11:20).
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel (Proverbs 12:10).
He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy upon the poor. When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but the righteous, even when he is brought to death, has hope (Proverbs 14:31 - 32). Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3:3).
The merciful man does good for his own soul, but he who is cruel troubles his own flesh (Proverbs 11:17).
The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked shall perish (Proverbs 10:28).
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing (Proverbs 11:7).
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6).
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death (Proverbs 19:18).
Forgiveness is the
attribute of the strong.
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by loving kindness he upholds his throne (Proverbs 20:28).
Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him (Proverbs 29:20).
Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good (Proverbs 14:22).
He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (Proverbs 14:21).
He who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor (Proverbs 21:21).
So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off (Proverbs 24:14).Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long: For surely there is a reward; and thy hope shall not be cut off (Proverbs 23:17 - 18).
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life (Proverbs 13:12).