Psalms 104:23

KJV

Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.

KJV (with Strong's)

Man {H120} goeth forth {H3318} unto his work {H6467} and to his labour {H5656} until the evening {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

while people go out to their work, laboring on till evening.

Berean Standard Bible

Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until evening.

American Standard Version

Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:23 beautifully encapsulates the divinely ordained rhythm of human life, portraying humanity's daily departure for work and labor, diligently pursued until the close of day. This verse is nestled within a grand hymn praising God's meticulous design and ongoing sustenance of creation, highlighting that human activity, like the cycles of nature, is part of God's benevolent order. It underscores the dignity and purpose inherent in human toil, presenting it not as a burden but as an essential component of life within God's providentially structured world, culminating in the natural cessation of activity with the arrival of evening.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 104 is a magnificent hymn of creation, often seen as a poetic parallel to [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), celebrating God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. The psalm moves from the heavens and earth (verses 1-9) to water sources and their provision for animals and plants (verses 10-18). Verses 19-22 describe the sun's setting, the emergence of nocturnal creatures for their hunt, and their return to dens at dawn. Verse 23 then transitions seamlessly to humanity, showing how the same divine order that governs the animal kingdom also orchestrates human life. The preceding verses establish the cosmic clock, and verse 23 places human daily activity within this larger, divinely established rhythm, emphasizing that God provides the day for human work, just as He provides the night for wild animals. This leads into the psalm's broader declaration of God's abundant provision for all living things (verse 24).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, life was predominantly agrarian, deeply intertwined with the cycles of nature. The day-night cycle was not merely a meteorological phenomenon but the fundamental organizer of life and labor. "Going forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening" reflects the reality of a society where most people were farmers, shepherds, or craftsmen, whose livelihoods depended on daylight hours. Work began early, often at sunrise, and continued until sunset, marking a full day's effort. The evening (עֶרֶב - *'erev*) signified not just the end of the day but the time for rest, family, and communal gathering. This rhythm was deeply embedded in Israelite culture, reinforced by the divine command for a Sabbath rest after six days of labor, as seen in [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day"). The verse thus depicts a universal human experience within a specific cultural framework, highlighting God's provision of time and opportunity for human productivity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Psalms 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Order and Provision**. God's meticulous design is not limited to the grand cosmic structures but extends to the daily routines of humanity, providing the day for purposeful activity. Secondly, it highlights the **Dignity and Purpose of Human Labor**. Work is presented not as a curse (though it became toilsome after the Fall, as described in [Genesis 3:17-19](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17-19 - The Curse on the Ground")), but as an integral and honorable part of human existence, a divinely appointed activity that contributes to the sustenance of life and the flourishing of creation. This echoes the original mandate given to humanity in [Genesis 2:15](/genesis/2-15 "Genesis 2:15 - Man's Purpose in the Garden of Eden") to "work and keep" the Garden. Lastly, the phrase "until the evening" underscores the **Rhythm of Life**, emphasizing the natural and necessary balance between diligent effort and essential rest, a rhythm established by God for human well-being and productivity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Work (Hebrew, _ma'aseh'_):** This term (מַעֲשֶׂה) generally refers to a deed, act, or production. It encompasses any purposeful activity, creative endeavor, or the outcome of one's efforts. In this context, it speaks to the broad spectrum of human productive activity, from farming and building to crafting and managing, all seen as part of the divinely ordained human function within creation.
* **Labour (Hebrew, _'avodah'_):** This word (עֲבֹדָה) signifies service, labor, or even servitude. It often implies diligent, purposeful, and sometimes strenuous effort. Significantly, *'avodah* is the same root word used for priestly service or worship, suggesting that human work, when done in accordance with God's order, can carry a sense of duty, devotion, and even sacredness. It highlights the dedicated and often demanding nature of daily tasks.
* **Evening (Hebrew, _'erev'_):** This term (עֶרֶב) refers to the period of twilight or sunset, marking the transition from day to night. In the context of this verse, it acts as a natural boundary for human activity, signifying the cessation of work and the commencement of rest. It underscores the divinely established cycle of productivity and recuperation, essential for human flourishing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Man goeth forth":** This phrase depicts the commencement of daily activity. "Man" (אדם - *adam*) here refers to humanity in general, signifying the universal experience of rising and preparing for the day's tasks. "Goeth forth" implies a deliberate, active movement, a purposeful departure from the place of rest (home) to the sphere of activity (field, workshop, marketplace).
* **"unto his work and to his labour":** This is a hendiadys, where two nouns joined by "and" express a single complex idea, or a parallel expression emphasizing intensity. "Work" (*ma'aseh*) and "labour" (*'avodah*) together describe the full scope of human productive effort. It encompasses both the practical output and the diligent, often strenuous, exertion required. This phrase highlights the purposeful nature of human existence, engaged in meaningful activity.
* **"until the evening":** This concluding phrase sets the temporal boundary for human toil. It denotes the full duration of the workday, from dawn until dusk. It implies diligence and perseverance throughout the daylight hours but also signifies a divinely established limit, underscoring the necessity of rest. The arrival of "evening" marks the natural and appropriate time for the cessation of labor, allowing for recuperation and the renewal of strength.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 104:23 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is evident in the phrase "his work and to his labour," where two closely related terms are used to emphasize the comprehensive nature of human productive activity. This stylistic choice adds depth and reinforces the idea of dedicated effort. **Imagery** is powerfully used to evoke the universal rhythm of life: the rising of humanity to engage in daily tasks, set against the backdrop of the natural world's cycles. The image of "man going forth" and working "until the evening" paints a vivid picture of purposeful human engagement within a divinely ordered cosmos. Furthermore, the use of "Man" (אדם - *adam*) can be seen as **Synecdoche**, where a part (an individual man) stands for the whole (humanity), universalizing the experience described in the verse. The verse's concise structure and clear progression from activity to cessation also contribute to its memorable and impactful delivery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, situated within a psalm celebrating God's creative and sustaining power, places human labor squarely within the divine economy. It elevates daily work from mere drudgery to a purposeful, God-ordained activity, reflecting God's own ceaseless work in creation and providence. Our ability to work, the provision of a day for labor, and the necessity of rest are all gifts from God, testifying to His benevolent ordering of time and human existence. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into opportunities to participate in God's ongoing work in the world, fostering a sense of dignity and meaning in every honest endeavor. It reminds us that diligence in our work is a form of stewardship, and the recognition of "evening" as a time for rest is an acknowledgment of our creaturely limits and God's design for human flourishing.

* [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")
* [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8](/ecclesiastes/3-1 "Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - A Time for Everything")
* [Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Work as unto the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 104:23 offers a profound lens through which to view our daily lives and labors. It calls us to recognize that our work, whatever its form, is not merely a means to an end (like earning a living) but an integral part of God's design for humanity. This perspective imbues our tasks with dignity and purpose, reminding us that we are participating in the ongoing unfolding of creation. The verse encourages diligence and faithfulness in our efforts, mirroring the consistent and reliable cycles God has established in nature. Yet, it equally affirms the crucial necessity of rest. The "evening" is not a failure to work but a divinely appointed boundary, a time for cessation, recuperation, and renewal. In a world often characterized by relentless striving and the blurring of work-life boundaries, this verse serves as a timeless reminder to honor both our capacity for productive effort and our fundamental need for rest, embracing the God-given rhythm of exertion and repose for holistic well-being.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does viewing your daily work as part of God's "design" change your perspective on seemingly mundane tasks?**
* **In what ways do you currently honor the "until the evening" principle in your life, ensuring adequate rest and cessation from labor?**
* **What practical steps can you take to better integrate the biblical rhythm of work and rest into your weekly routine?**
* **How might a deeper appreciation for God's sustaining hand in providing the day for labor impact your gratitude and worship?**

### FAQ

**Does Psalms 104:23 endorse endless toil, or does it also speak to the importance of rest?**

Answer: While the verse emphasizes diligent work ("goeth forth unto his work and to his labour"), the crucial phrase "until the evening" inherently speaks to the importance of rest. The "evening" serves as a divinely established boundary, signifying the natural and necessary cessation of labor. It implies that a full day's effort is expected, but also that there is a time when work concludes, allowing for rest and recuperation. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of work and rest, most notably the Sabbath command, where God Himself rested on the seventh day after His work of creation ([Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")). Thus, the verse promotes a balanced rhythm of diligent work followed by appropriate rest, essential for human well-being.

**How does this verse apply to modern society, where work hours can be flexible and not always tied to daylight?**

Answer: While ancient agrarian societies were directly tied to daylight, the principle of Psalms 104:23 remains profoundly relevant. The "day" and "evening" can be understood metaphorically as periods of productive engagement and necessary disengagement. In modern society, this translates to establishing healthy boundaries for work, ensuring that periods of intense effort are balanced with intentional rest, recreation, and time for personal and spiritual renewal. Whether one works traditional hours, shifts, or from home, the core message is to apply oneself diligently during designated work periods, but also to respect the need to "go home" (metaphorically or literally) and cease labor when the "evening" comes, allowing for rest and restoration. This principle is vital for preventing burnout and maintaining holistic health, recognizing that our capacity for work is a gift from God that requires stewardship and regular renewal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 104:23, depicting humanity's diligent labor until evening, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "Man" who "went forth unto his work and to his labour." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus exemplified perfect diligence and unwavering commitment to the Father's will, declaring, "My Father is working until now, and I am working" ([John 5:17](/john/5-17 "John 5:17 - My Father is Working")). His life was a ceaseless outpouring of service, teaching, healing, and demonstrating the Kingdom of God, tirelessly engaging in the "work" God gave Him to do ([John 9:4](/john/9-4 "John 9:4 - I Must Work the Works of Him Who Sent Me")). The "evening" for Christ culminated not in mere physical rest, but in the ultimate completion of His redemptive labor on the cross, where He cried out, "It is finished!" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")). His work was perfect and complete, bringing about the new creation and eternal rest for all who believe. Now, through Christ, believers are invited to find true rest for their souls, not from work itself, but from the burden of striving under the law and the futility of self-salvation, as He lovingly invites, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Thus, Psalms 104:23 foreshadows Christ's diligent, purposeful work and the ultimate, perfect rest that He provides for His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ecclesiastes 5:12

The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Judges 19:16

¶ And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which [was] also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place [were] Benjamites.

2 Thessalonians 3:8

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

2 Thessalonians 3:12

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.