Isaiah 49:4 kjv
Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
Isaiah 49:4 nkjv
Then I said, 'I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God.' "
Isaiah 49:4 niv
But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."
Isaiah 49:4 esv
But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God."
Isaiah 49:4 nlt
I replied, "But my work seems so useless!
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the LORD's hand;
I will trust God for my reward."
Isaiah 49 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 49:4 | "But I said, 'I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and everything; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.'" | Directly states the theme of wasted effort and divine recompense. |
| Psalm 1:1-3 | "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... he is like a tree planted by streams of water... and whatever he does shall prosper." | Echoes the idea of ultimate prosperity for the righteous, despite current appearances. |
| Matthew 25:23 | "'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'" | Jesus uses similar language to reward faithful service. |
| 1 Corinthians 15:58 | "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." | Directly addresses the concept of labor not being in vain in the Lord. |
| Galatians 6:7-9 | "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap... And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." | Emphasizes the certainty of reward for persistent good deeds. |
| Philippians 2:12-13 | "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." | Connects human effort with divine enablement and reward. |
| Hebrews 6:10 | "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love that you have shown for his name, by having ministered to the saints, and by still ministering." | Assures that God remembers and will reward acts of service. |
| 1 Peter 1:6-7 | "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." | Highlights how present suffering and trials can lead to future glory. |
| John 3:30 | "He must increase, but I must decrease." | Reflects the servant’s subordinate role and focus on God’s glory. |
| Isaiah 53:11 | "Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities." | Isaiah's Suffering Servant chapter echoes this theme of toil leading to satisfaction through divine purpose. |
| Psalm 2:11 | "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." | Encourages diligent service. |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." | Encourages reliance on God rather than perceived personal effort alone. |
| Jeremiah 20:11 | "But the LORD is with me as a mighty warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail; they will be greatly shamed, because they have made a perpetual mistake that will not be forgotten." | Shows God’s support for His servants against opposition. |
| Acts 20:35 | "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" | Emphasizes the principle of diligent work for the benefit of others. |
| Romans 8:18 | "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." | Parallels the sentiment of present hardship versus future reward. |
| Colossians 1:10 | "...so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." | Connects good works and fruitfulness with pleasing God. |
| Matthew 11:29 | "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." | Offers rest to those who diligently serve Christ. |
| Luke 18:29-30 | "And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”" | Promises abundant reward for sacrifices made for the Kingdom. |
| Revelation 2:2 | "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not, and found them to be false.'" | Acknowledges the church's works, toil, and endurance. |
| Revelation 14:13 | "And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they are to rest from their labors, but their works follow them!'" | Assures that even seemingly unrewarded labor will be recognized and followed into eternity. |
Isaiah 49 verses
Isaiah 49 4 Meaning
The verse speaks of a devoted servant who has been active and fruitful in service. Despite apparent fruitlessness and exertion without tangible results, this servant's ultimate vindication and reward come from the Lord. It highlights the Lord's recognition of the servant's work, even when it seems unseen or unappreciated by others.
Isaiah 49 4 Context
This verse is found in the second part of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often referred to as the "Book of Consolation." This section speaks directly to the exiled people of Israel, promising their return and restoration. Chapter 49, in particular, presents the figure of the "Suffering Servant," who, through his faithful, though seemingly difficult and perhaps unappreciated, service, will bring salvation and light to Israel and the nations. The prophet is speaking from a perspective that anticipates and embodies this servant's experience. The historical context is the looming Babylonian exile, and the verse reflects a lament that might arise from deep commitment to God's purposes that initially yields no visible fruit or success in the eyes of the people.
Isaiah 49 4 Word Analysis
- But: (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה, wəʿattâ) - A strong adversative conjunction. It introduces a contrast or a continuation with a shift in focus, often implying a turning point or a subsequent thought after a previous statement or observation.
- I said: (Hebrew: אָמַרְתִּי, ʾāmártî) - First person singular imperfect of the verb "to say." It signifies an utterance or declaration, possibly a thought process or an expressed feeling of weariness.
- I have labored: (Hebrew: יָגַעְתִּי, yāḡaʿtî) - First person singular perfect of the verb "to be weary" or "to labor." It describes an activity that results in exhaustion and a sense of futility. This verb implies strenuous, diligent effort that has taken a toll.
- in vain: (Hebrew: לָחִנָּם, lāḥinnām) - An adverb meaning "without cause," "for nothing," or "in vain." It emphasizes the perceived lack of result or purpose in the effort expended.
- I have spent my strength: (Hebrew: כֹּחִי, kōḥî) - Possessive form of the Hebrew word for "strength" or "power." It denotes the expenditure of vital energy.
- for nothing (Hebrew: לְתֹהוּ, ləṯōhû): Literally "to emptiness" or "to desolation." This word, tohu, often refers to formlessness or chaos, implying the effort was consumed by something meaningless or void.
- yet: (Hebrew: כִּי, kî) - A conjunction that can mean "for," "but," or "surely." Here, it introduces a confident assertion of certainty, overcoming the previous statement of futility.
- surely: (implied in the strong assertion of the following phrase)
- my right: (Hebrew: דִּינִי, dînnî) - My cause, my case, my plea, or my judgment. It points to the justification and vindication that the servant rightfully deserves.
- is with the LORD: (Hebrew: אֶת־יְהוָה, ʾeṯ-YHWH) - Placed after "my right," indicating the source and holder of this right or justice. It means "before the LORD" or "belonging to the LORD."
- and my recompense: (Hebrew: וּשְׂכָרִי, ūśəkārî) - "And my reward" or "my wages." This refers to the return or payment due for the labor performed.
- with my God: (Hebrew: אֱלֹהַי, ʾĕlōhāy) - My God. Reinforces the personal relationship and assurance of divine justice from the one who has been faithfully served.
Words Group Analysis:
- "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing": This phrase captures a profound sense of disillusionment and the feeling of having offered oneself in service without any apparent positive outcome or personal gain. It paints a picture of exhausting effort that leads only to emptiness and waste, a deep existential and spiritual weariness.
- "yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God": This part presents a powerful pivot from despair to assurance. It declares that the ultimate judge and source of vindication is not human opinion or earthly results, but God Himself. The servant trusts that his true "case" and deserved "reward" are secured and will be dispensed by his God, who sees all and is just. This expresses a deep-seated faith and trust in divine fairness, even when present circumstances suggest otherwise.
Isaiah 49 4 Bonus Section
This verse has significant messianic implications, particularly when understood in light of Isaiah 53 and the New Testament. The early church saw in this the experience of Jesus Christ, who poured out His life, seemingly in vain to many, facing rejection and suffering. Yet, through His obedience, God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11), fulfilling the promise that His reward is with God. The concept of "right" also speaks to Christ's advocacy for believers (1 John 2:1) and His final victory and reign, where His suffering purchased eternal recompense for many. The servant’s lament is a prophetic anticipation of Christ’s humiliation before His exaltation, reminding believers that even in the deepest moments of perceived failure, God’s purpose will ultimately prevail, and faithful service, especially Christ’s ultimate service, will receive its just and glorious reward.
Isaiah 49 4 Commentary
This verse reveals the heart of faithful service under challenging conditions. The servant expresses a deeply felt weariness from expended effort that appears to have yielded no fruit, a common human experience when striving for divine purposes. This sense of futility could stem from societal indifference, opposition, or the long-term nature of ministry where immediate results are not visible. However, the crucial turning point is the assertion that the servant's ultimate validation and reward do not depend on earthly success or recognition but are held by the LORD. It underscores a covenantal relationship where God Himself guarantees justice and recompense for His dedicated servants, emphasizing perseverance in faith even when labor seems to no avail. The servant's confidence rests not in his own ability to prove his worth, but in God's righteousness and faithfulness.