TRV
Translation
Berean Standard Bible
May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children.
American Standard Version
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, And thy glory upon their children.
World English Bible Messianic
Let your work appear to your servants; your glory to their children.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Let thy worke bee seene towarde thy seruants, and thy glory vpon their children.
Young's Literal Translation
Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, And Thine honour on their sons.
See also
In the KJVVerse 15,395 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 90 verses 12–17
12 ¶ So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.
These are the petitions of this prayer, grounded upon the foregoing meditations and acknowledgments. Is any afflicted? Let him learn thus to pray. Four things they are here directed to pray for: -
I. For a sanctified use of the sad dispensation they were now under. Being condemned to have our days shortened, "Lord, teach us to number our days (Psa 90:12); Lord, give us grace duly to consider how few they are, and how little a while we have to live in this world." Note, 1. It is an excellent art rightly to number our days, so as not to be out in our calculation, as he was who counted upon many years to come when, that night, his soul was required of him. We must live under a constant apprehension of the shortness and uncertainty of life and the near approach of death and eternity. We must so number our days as to compare our work with them, and mind it accordingly with a double diligence, as those that have no time to trifle. 2. Those that would learn this arithmetic must pray for divine instruction, must go to God, and beg of him to teach them by his Spirit, to put them upon considering and to give them a good understanding. 3. We then number our days to good purpose when thereby our hearts are inclined and engaged to true wisdom, that is, to the practice of serious godliness. To be religious is to be wise; this is a thing to which it is necessary that we apply our hearts, and the matter requires and deserves a close application, to which frequent thoughts of the uncertainty of our continuance here, and the certainty of our removal hence, will very much contribute.
II. For the turning away of God's anger from them, that though the decree had gone forth, and was past revocation, there was no remedy, but they must die in the wilderness: "Yet return, O Lord! be thou reconciled to us, and let it repent thee concerning thy servants (Psa 90:13); send us tidings of peace to comfort us again after these heavy tidings. How long must we look upon ourselves as under thy wrath, and when shall we have some token given us of our restoration to thy favour? We are thy servants, thy people (Isa 64:9); when wilt thou change thy way toward us?" In answer to this prayer, and upon their profession of repentance (Num 14:39, Num 14:40), God, in the next chapter, proceeding with the laws concerning sacrifices (Num 15:1, etc.), which was a token that it repented him concerning his servants; for, if the Lord had been pleased to kill them, he would not have shown them such things as these.
III. For comfort and joy in the returns of God's favour to them, Psa 90:14, Psa 90:15. They pray for the mercy of God; for they pretend not to plead any merit of their own. Have mercy upon us, O God! is a prayer we are all concerned to say Amen to. Let us pray for early mercy, the seasonable communications of divine mercy, that God's tender mercies may speedily prevent us, early in the morning of our days, when we are young and flourishing, Psa 90:6. Let us pray for the true satisfaction and happiness which are to be had only in the favour and mercy of God, Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7. A gracious soul, if it may but be satisfied of God's lovingkindness, will be satisfied with it, abundantly satisfied, will take up with that, and will take up with nothing short of it. Two things are pleaded to enforce this petition for God's mercy: - 1. That it would be a full fountain of future joys: "O satisfy us with thy mercy, not only that we may be easy and at rest within ourselves, which we can never be while we lie under thy wrath, but that we may rejoice and be glad, not only for a time, upon the first indications of thy favour, but all our days, though we are to spend them in the wilderness." With respect to those that make God their chief joy, as their joy may be full (Jo1 1:4), so it may be constant, even in this vale of tears; it is their own fault if they are not glad all their days, for his mercy will furnish them with joy in tribulation and nothing can separate them from it. 2. That it would be a sufficient balance to their former griefs: "Make us glad according to the days wherein thou has afflicted us; let the days of our joy in thy favour be as many as the days of our pain for thy displeasure have been and as pleasant as those have been gloomy. Lord, thou usest to set the one over-against the other (Ecc 7:14); do so in our case. Let it suffice that we have drunk so long of the cup of trembling; now put into our hands the cup of salvation." God's people reckon the returns of God's lovingkindness a sufficient recompence for all their troubles.
IV. For the progress of the work of God among them notwithstanding, Psa 90:16, Psa 90:17. 1. That he would manifest himself in carrying it on: "Let thy work appear upon thy servants; let it appear that thou hast wrought upon us, to bring us home to thyself and to fit us for thyself." God's servants cannot work for him unless he work upon them, and work in them both to will and to do; and then we may hope the operations of God's providence will be apparent for us when the operations of his grace are apparent upon us. "Let thy work appear, and in it thy glory will appear to us and those that shall come after us." In praying for God's grace God's glory must be our end; and we must therein have an eye to our children as well as to ourselves, that they also may experience God's glory appearing upon them, so as to change them into the same image, from glory to glory. Perhaps, in this prayer, they distinguish between themselves and their children, for so God distinguished in his late message to them (Num 14:31, Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness, but your little ones I will bring into Canaan): "Lord," say they, "let thy work appear upon us, to reform us, and bring us to a better temper, and then let thy glory appear to our children, in performing the promise to them which we have forfeited the benefit of." 2. That he would countenance and strengthen them in carrying it on, in doing their part towards it. (1.) That he would smile upon them in it: Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; let it appear that God favours us. Let us have God's ordinances kept up among us and the tokens of God's presence with his ordinances; so some. We may apply this petition both to our sanctification and to our consolation. Holiness is the beauty of the Lord our God; let that be upon us in all we say and do; let the grace of God in us, and the light of our good works, make our faces to shine (that is the comeliness God puts upon us, and those are comely indeed who are so beautified), and then let divine consolations put gladness into our hearts, and a lustre upon our countenances, and that also will be the beauty of the Lord upon us, as our God. (2.) That he would prosper them in it: Establish thou the work of our hands upon us. God's working upon us (Psa 90:16) does not discharge us from using our utmost endeavours in serving him and working out our salvation. But, when we have done all, we must wait upon God for the success, and beg of him to prosper our handy works, to give us to compass what we aim at for his glory. We are so unworthy of divine assistance, and yet so utterly insufficient to bring any thing to pass without it, that we have need to be earnest for it and to repeat the request: Yea, the work of our hands, establish thou it, and, in order to that, establish us in it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–17. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 90
But now in days that are as yet evil, let us speak as follows. "Look upon Your servants, and upon Your works" [Psalm 90:16]. For Your servants themselves are Your works, not only inasmuch as they are men, but as Your servants, that is, obedient to Your commands. For we are His workmanship, created not merely in Adam, but in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them: [Ephesians 2:10] "for it is God which works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure." [Philippians 2:13] "And direct their sons:" that they may be right in heart, for to such God is bountiful; for "God is bountiful to Israel, to those that are right in heart."...
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 90:16 is a profound and poignant petition from Moses, strategically positioned at the conclusion of a psalm that masterfully contrasts the eternal, sovereign nature of God with the fleeting, often sorrowful, existence of humanity. It articulates a fervent desire for God's active, redemptive "work" and His inherent, majestic "glory" to be clearly and undeniably revealed, not only to the present generation of His devoted servants but also, crucially, to their descendants. This prayer embodies a deep longing for a visible and enduring spiritual legacy, ensuring that the divine presence, power, and character remain vibrantly evident across generations, providing hope and purpose amidst the challenges and brevity of human life.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact, contributing to its profound theological message. Foremost is Parallelism, specifically Synthetic Parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "Let thy work appear unto thy servants" is paralleled by "and thy glory unto their children," linking God's active deeds with His inherent majesty, and the current generation of believers with their descendants. This structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the desired revelation and its intergenerational continuity, showing that God's activity and His being are inextricably linked in His self-disclosure. The verse is also a direct Petition or Prayer, a common and central feature of the Psalms, signifying a heartfelt plea to God. The use of the jussive "Let thy..." is a volitional expression, indicating a strong desire and earnest request for divine action. Furthermore, there is an element of Merism or Synecdoche in the pairing of "work and glory," where these two aspects together represent the totality of God's active presence, power, and character. By asking for both His "work" (His actions) and His "glory" (His inherent being and manifest splendor), Moses is essentially praying for a full, complete, and holistic revelation of God to His people and their progeny, ensuring they grasp both what He does and who He is.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 90:16 is deeply rooted in the biblical theology of God's self-revelation and the covenantal imperative to transmit faith across generations. It highlights the divine initiative in making Himself known, not just through abstract principles but through concrete actions ("work") and visible manifestations of His character ("glory"). This desire for God's visible presence reflects a foundational need for His people to experience His reality, especially in times of hardship and transience. The extension of this prayer to "their children" underscores the profound importance of spiritual legacy, emphasizing that faith is not merely an individual pursuit but a communal inheritance to be nurtured and passed on. It aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, which extend to a thousand generations, and the responsibility of each generation to bear witness to His mighty acts. This verse encapsulates the yearning for a living, palpable faith that transcends time, ensuring that God's saving power and majestic presence are continually experienced and revered.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 90:16 serves as a timeless and potent prayer for believers today, inviting us to earnestly seek God's manifest presence in our lives and to commit deliberately to the spiritual well-being of future generations. In a world often marked by uncertainty, suffering, and a pervasive sense of transience, this verse reminds us to pray for God's active "work" to be evident—His intervention in our circumstances, His provision in our needs, His healing in our brokenness, and His sovereign guidance in our decisions. We are called to yearn for His "glory" to appear, for His inherent majesty and character to be undeniably displayed in our churches, our communities, and through our personal lives, drawing others to Him and inspiring awe. Crucially, the prayer extends beyond ourselves to "their children," challenging us to prioritize intergenerational discipleship. This means intentionally investing in the spiritual formation of the next generation, sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness, diligently teaching His Word, and modeling a life of authentic devotion, so that they too may witness and experience the transformative power of God's work and the awe-inspiring beauty of His glory. Our hope for lasting impact and spiritual fruitfulness rests not just on our own efforts, but on God's continued revelation to those who follow us, ensuring a vibrant legacy of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this psalm attributed to Moses, and how does that influence our understanding of verse 16?
Answer: Psalm 90 is uniquely attributed to "Moses the man of God" in its superscription, making it the oldest psalm in the biblical collection. This attribution is crucial because it situates the psalm within the historical context of the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness. During this period, Moses witnessed firsthand the transience of human life and the consequences of God's judgment on a disobedient generation, yet also experienced God's miraculous provision and enduring presence. Therefore, the prayer in Psalms 90:16 for God's "work" and "glory" to appear is deeply informed by the Exodus narrative—the parting of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, the pillar of cloud and fire, and the Shekinah glory at Mount Sinai and in the Tabernacle. Moses' longing for God's continued manifestation to "His servants" and "their children" reflects his profound concern for the spiritual survival and legacy of the nation he led, recognizing that only God's visible presence could sustain them through hardship and ensure their future.
What is the distinction between "thy work" and "thy glory" in this verse?
Answer: While closely related, "thy work" (פָּעַל, pôʻal) and "thy glory" (הָדָר, hâdâr) refer to distinct but complementary aspects of God's revelation. "Thy work" primarily denotes God's active deeds, His interventions in history, His creative acts, His redemptive power, and His ongoing providence. It speaks of what God does. Examples include the acts of creation in Genesis 1, the deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exodus), and the miracles performed by God throughout biblical history. "Thy glory," on the other hand, refers to God's inherent majesty, splendor, and the visible manifestation of His character and presence. It speaks of who God is in His awe-inspiring nature. This can be seen in the Shekinah glory that filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35) or the radiant appearance of God's presence. The prayer in Psalms 90:16 is for both: for God's people to see His powerful actions and to experience the radiant beauty of His very being, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and experience of who He is and what He does.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 90:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent revelation of God's "work" and "glory" to humanity. The "work" of God, which Moses longed to see, is most fully displayed in the incarnation and redemptive ministry of Jesus. His very coming into the world is God's ultimate work of drawing near to humanity, as "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). His miracles, transformative teachings, and ultimately His atoning death and resurrection are the supreme "works" of God for salvation, as Jesus Himself declared, "I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:4). Furthermore, Jesus is the very "glory" of God made visible. The author of Hebrews proclaims Him as "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). To see Jesus is to see the Father, for He said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). The prayer for God's work and glory to appear to "servants" and "their children" is fulfilled as the Gospel, centered on Christ, is proclaimed and passed down through generations. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers today continue to witness God's "work" in transformation and redemption, and experience His "glory" as He makes them partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The church, as the body of Christ, is entrusted with the mission to make His work and glory known to all nations and to every succeeding generation until He returns (Matthew 28:19-20).