Psalms 104:23

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 104:23 (KJV)

Psalms 104:23: "Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening."

Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of creation, praising God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the entire natural world. It beautifully describes the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all living creatures, highlighting God's intricate design and ongoing provision. Following descriptions of the sun setting, night animals emerging, and the coming of dawn (verses 19-22), verse 23 transitions to the rhythm of human life. It places humanity's daily activity within the broader divine order, emphasizing how God orchestrates the cycles of nature to accommodate both animal and human existence. This psalm echoes the themes of divine order and sustenance found in the creation accounts, such as those in Genesis 1.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Provision: The verse highlights that human work is part of God's established order for the world. Just as the sun rises and sets, dictating the activities of animals, it also sets the stage for human daily routines. God provides the day for labor and the evening for rest.
  • The Dignity of Human Labor: Work is presented not as a curse, but as a natural and essential part of human existence, designed by God. It is purposeful activity that contributes to sustaining life and society. This concept of human labor as a divinely appointed activity is echoed in other scriptures, such as when man was placed in the Garden of Eden to work and keep it.
  • The Rhythm of Life: The phrase "until the evening" underscores the natural cycle of work and rest. It implies a full day's diligent effort, followed by a necessary period of cessation. This rhythm is fundamental to human well-being and productivity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used here offer deeper nuance:

  • "Work" (ืžึทืขึฒืฉึถื‚ื” - ma'aseh): This term generally refers to a deed, act, or production. It can encompass any purposeful activity or creative endeavor.
  • "Labour" (ืขึฒื‘ึนื“ึธื” - 'avodah): This word signifies service, labor, or even servitude. It often implies diligent, purposeful effort, and is the same root word used for priestly service or worship, suggesting a sense of duty and devotion in one's work.

Together, these terms emphasize both the practical output of human effort and the dedicated, often strenuous, nature of daily tasks.

Practical Application and Reflection

Psalms 104:23 offers timeless insights for contemporary life:

  • Purpose in Daily Tasks: It reminds us that our daily work, no matter how mundane it may seem, is part of a larger divine design. It provides purpose and contributes to the flourishing of creation and society.
  • Diligence and Rest: The verse encourages diligence in our "work and labour" throughout the day, but also implicitly affirms the necessity of rest when "evening" comes. This balance is crucial for physical, mental, and spiritual health.
  • God's Sustaining Hand: Our ability to work and the very existence of a day-night cycle for our labor are gifts from God. It encourages gratitude for His ongoing provision and the structured nature of life He has established.

This verse serves as a quiet affirmation of the dignity of human effort and God's benevolent ordering of time for our productivity and well-being.

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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

    ยถ 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.