Psalms 92:4

KJV

For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thou, LORD {H3068}, hast made me glad {H8055}{H8765)} through thy work {H6467}: I will triumph {H7442}{H8762)} in the works {H4639} of thy hands {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For, ADONAI, what you do makes me happy; I take joy in what your hands have made.

Berean Standard Bible

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

American Standard Version

For thou, Jehovah, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 92:4 is a vibrant declaration of the psalmist's profound joy and exultation, which stems directly from contemplating and experiencing the magnificent works of God. It articulates a deep, personal gladness and an unwavering confidence that arise from recognizing the Lord's active presence, creative power, and providential care throughout creation and in human history. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the truth that genuine and lasting delight is found in acknowledging and celebrating God's sovereign deeds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 92 is uniquely titled "A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day," immediately setting a tone of worship, reflection, and thanksgiving. The preceding verses ([Psalm 92:1-3](/psalms/92-1-3 "Psalm 92:1-3 - It is Good to Give Thanks")) establish the goodness and appropriateness of offering praise to the Lord, singing to His name, and proclaiming His steadfast love and faithfulness, particularly at morning and night. Verse 4 then provides the specific and deeply personal *reason* for this overflowing praise: the psalmist's direct experience of God's "work" and "works of thy hands." This verse transitions from the general call to worship to the concrete source of the worshiper's joy, grounding the praise in God's tangible actions and their impact on the individual's spirit. The subsequent verses ([Psalm 92:5-9](/psalms/92-5-9 "Psalm 92:5-9 - The Greatness of God's Works")) elaborate on the greatness of God's works and His righteous judgments, contrasting the prosperity of the wicked with the ultimate vindication of the righteous, further explaining the "triumph" mentioned in verse 4.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The designation "for the Sabbath day" is highly significant. The Sabbath (Shabbat) was a foundational institution in ancient Israel, commemorating God's rest after creation ([Genesis 2:2-3](/genesis/2-2-3 "Genesis 2:2-3 - God Rests on the Seventh Day")) and serving as a sign of the covenant between God and His people ([Exodus 31:16-17](/exodus/31-16-17 "Exodus 31:16-17 - The Sabbath as a Perpetual Covenant")). On this day, work ceased, allowing for focused worship, reflection on God's creative and redemptive acts, and communal gathering. The psalm's emphasis on God's "work" and "works of thy hands" would resonate deeply with a people whose identity was shaped by the narrative of God's mighty acts—from creation to the Exodus ([Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses")) and the establishment of the covenant. The "triumph" expressed in the verse would have been understood in the context of God's historical victories over Israel's enemies and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, providing assurance and joy amidst life's challenges.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalms 92 and the Psalter as a whole. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Joy and Gladness**, asserting that true and lasting joy is not circumstantial but flows directly from recognizing and responding to God's active presence and power. This resonates with the idea that [the joy of the Lord is our strength](/nehemiah/8-10 "Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Work**, using terms like "thy work" and "works of thy hands" to encompass God's entire activity—His creative power, His providential care, His redemptive interventions, and His righteous judgments. This theme is pervasive throughout the Psalms, as seen in declarations like [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") where the heavens declare God's glory. Thirdly, the psalmist's declaration of "triumph" introduces the theme of **Vindication and Confidence in God's Deeds**, signifying a profound assurance that God's plans will ultimately prevail, bringing victory and justice to His faithful. Finally, the verse intrinsically links these themes to **Praise and Thanksgiving**, demonstrating that a heart attuned to God's magnificent works naturally overflows with worship, fulfilling the psalm's opening call to give thanks and sing praises ([Psalm 92:1-2](/psalms/92-1-2 "Psalm 92:1-2 - It is Good to Give Thanks")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Work (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** This word (H4639) is broad in its semantic range, referring to deeds, actions, accomplishments, or creations. In the context of God, it encompasses His entire activity, from the grand cosmic act of creation (e.g., [Psalm 8:3](/psalms/8-3 "Psalm 8:3 - The Works of Your Fingers")) to His specific interventions in human history, His providential care for individuals, and His righteous judgments against evil. It emphasizes the tangible, observable results of God's power and wisdom.
* **Triumph (Hebrew, _rânan'_):** The Hebrew verb (H7442), translated as "I will triumph," comes from the root _rânan_, meaning "to shout for joy," "to sing aloud," or "to exult." It conveys an enthusiastic, audible, and often public expression of delight and jubilation. This is not a quiet, internal gladness, but a robust, celebratory declaration of victory and confidence, stemming from the psalmist's assurance in God's power and faithfulness. It implies a sense of vindication and ultimate victory through God's intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work:":** This opening clause establishes the direct causal link between God's actions and the psalmist's emotional state. The "LORD" (H3068, Yahweh, the covenant name of God) is the active agent, and His "work" (H6467, _pôʻal_) is the source of gladness (H8055, _sâmach_). This gladness is not self-generated or dependent on human circumstances but is a divine impartation, a gift derived from observing and experiencing God's mighty deeds in creation, providence, and redemption. It speaks to a deep, spiritual joy that transcends superficial happiness.
* **"I will triumph in the works of thy hands.":** This second clause parallels and intensifies the first. The psalmist shifts from a passive reception of gladness ("made me glad") to an active, confident declaration of "triumph" (H7442, _rânan_) or exultation. The phrase "works" (H4639, _maʻăseh_) "of thy hands" (H3027, _yâd_) is an anthropomorphism, attributing human-like agency to God to emphasize His personal involvement and meticulous craftsmanship in all His creations and interventions. The "triumph" is a joyful, public acknowledgment of God's ultimate victory and the worshiper's confident participation in that victory, not through personal strength, but through reliance on God's omnipotence and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 92:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Most notably, it uses **Synonymous Parallelism**, a common feature in Hebrew poetry, where the second line reiterates or amplifies the thought of the first. "Thy work" in the first clause is paralleled by "the works of thy hands" in the second, and "hast made me glad" is echoed and intensified by "I will triumph." This reinforces the central idea that God's actions are the singular source of the psalmist's joy and exultation. The phrase "works of thy hands" is also an instance of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (hands) to God to make His creative and active involvement more relatable and vivid. It emphasizes God's direct and personal agency in shaping the world and intervening in human affairs. The psalmist's declaration of "triumph" can also be seen as a form of **Exultation** or **Jubilation**, an overflow of emotion expressed through song and shouting, which is characteristic of many Psalms of praise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 92:4 profoundly articulates a core theological truth: that humanity's deepest and most enduring joy is found not in self-achievement or worldly possessions, but in the contemplation and experience of God's sovereign activity. This verse elevates God as the ultimate source of gladness and confidence, inviting believers to shift their focus from temporal concerns to the eternal and powerful deeds of the Creator. It highlights God's active involvement in the world, from the grand scale of creation to the intimate details of personal providence, fostering a worldview where every aspect of existence can be seen as a testament to His power and goodness. The psalmist's "triumph" is not a boast in self, but a confident declaration rooted in God's unfailing faithfulness and ultimate victory, providing a theological anchor for hope amidst life's uncertainties.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - How Manifold are Your Works!")
* [Isaiah 26:3-4](/isaiah/26-3-4 "Isaiah 26:3-4 - Trust in the Lord Forever")
* [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 92:4 serves as a powerful invitation for believers across all generations to cultivate a posture of intentional observation and grateful response to God's ongoing work. In a world often characterized by anxiety and fleeting pleasures, this verse redirects our gaze to the unchanging source of true joy: the Lord and His magnificent deeds. It challenges us to pause, as on a Sabbath, and reflect on God's creative power evident in the natural world, His faithful providence in our personal lives, His redemptive acts throughout history, and His unwavering commitment to justice. When we consciously acknowledge God's hand in all things, our hearts are transformed, moving from mere contentment to profound gladness and triumphant exultation. This leads to a life of worship, where every blessing becomes a reason for praise, and every challenge is met with the assurance that God's ultimate work will prevail. It encourages us to actively rejoice in who God is and what He does, allowing His joy to become our strength and our song.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "works of God's hands" in your life or in the world around you bring you the most gladness and a sense of triumph?**
* **How can you more intentionally set aside time, like the Sabbath, to reflect on God's work and allow it to fill you with joy?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to shift your focus from your own efforts or circumstances to God's sovereign work as the source of your confidence and triumph?**

### FAQ
**What does "thy work" and "works of thy hands" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: The terms "thy work" (H6467, _pôʻal_) and "works of thy hands" (H4639, _maʻăseh_ and H3027, _yâd_) are comprehensive expressions referring to the entirety of God's activity and accomplishments. This includes His grand act of creation, establishing the heavens and the earth ([Psalm 8:3](/psalms/8-3 "Psalm 8:3 - The Works of Your Fingers")); His ongoing providential care and sustenance of all living things ([Psalm 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalm 104:27-28 - God Provides for All Creatures")); His redemptive acts in history, such as delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt ([Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power")); and His righteous judgments against evil and injustice ([Psalm 92:7-8](/psalms/92-7-8 "Psalm 92:7-8 - The Wicked Flourish Briefly")). The phrase "works of thy hands" specifically emphasizes God's personal, direct, and masterful agency, portraying Him as the divine craftsman and sovereign ruler over all things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 92:4, with its emphasis on God's "work" and the resulting gladness and triumph, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "work" of God that brings the greatest gladness and triumph is the redemptive work accomplished through Christ's incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. It is through His finished work on the cross that humanity is reconciled to God, sin is defeated, and eternal life is offered ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It is Finished")). The psalmist's gladness in God's deeds foreshadows the believer's joy in the Gospel, the "good news" of what God has done through His Son ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Our "triumph" is not in our own efforts but in Christ's victory over sin and death, a victory we share through faith ([1 Corinthians 15:57](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory Through Our Lord Jesus Christ")). The "works of thy hands" ultimately culminate in the new creation inaugurated by Christ, where all things are being made new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")), providing the believer with an eternal source of gladness and an everlasting reason to triumph in the Lord.

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

2 Corinthians 2:14

Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Psalms 8:6

Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet:

Luke 1:47

And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Isaiah 65:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

Isaiah 65:14

Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

Psalms 126:3

The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.