Psalm 104 23

Psalm 104:23 kjv

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

Psalm 104:23 nkjv

Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening.

Psalm 104:23 niv

Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.

Psalm 104:23 esv

Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

Psalm 104:23 nlt

Then people go off to their work,
where they labor until evening.

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 23 Meaning

Psalm 104:23 describes the divinely appointed rhythm of human life within God's ordered creation: that man engages in daily toil and productive labor from morning until the evening, reflecting his designed purpose in stewarding the earth. It portrays a structured existence where work is a fundamental aspect of human activity, harmonized with the natural cycles established by God.

Psalm 104 23 Context

Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise celebrating Yahweh as the glorious Creator and sustainer of the universe, drawing extensive parallels to the creation narrative in Genesis 1. It details God's wisdom, power, and benevolent ordering of the cosmos, from the heavens and earth to the waters, plants, and various creatures. The psalm systematically moves through the elements of creation, showing how God established distinct environments and life cycles.

Verse 23 specifically describes humanity's place within this divinely regulated ecosystem. It follows a section (Psa 104:20-22) detailing the activities of wild animals that emerge at night for hunting, only to retreat at sunrise. In contrast, with the dawn, man goes out to begin his specific activity. This verse anchors humanity's work ethic and daily rhythm within the broader cosmic order established by God, highlighting that human labor is not random but part of the creator's purposeful design for the world. Historically, in an agrarian society, work from sunrise to sunset was the norm, reflecting both practicality and God's design for a balanced life of toil and eventual rest. This entire psalm is a grand affirmation of monotheism, subtly polemicizing against the chaotic and polytheistic creation myths prevalent in the ancient Near East by portraying Yahweh as the sole, sovereign, and benevolent orchestrator of all life and order.

Psalm 104 23 Word analysis

• Man (אָדָם - ’ādām): This term is often used generically for "humanity" or "mankind." It frequently connects to אֲדָמָה (’ādāmāh), meaning "ground" or "earth," highlighting that humans were formed from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7). This emphasizes man's physical nature and his intrinsic connection to the material world he is called to work. His very existence is tied to the earth's substance, establishing his role as a steward and cultivator of it.

• goes out (יָצָא - yātsā’): Signifies purposeful movement, emergence, or departure. In context, it contrasts with the night when animals come out to roam (Psa 104:20). "Goes out" implies the commencement of a new day's activity, a transition from rest or slumber to active engagement, aligning with the daily solar cycle. It's a natural and deliberate act, part of the ordained daily rhythm.

• to his work (לְפָעֳלוֹ - ləfō‘alō): Derived from פֹּעַל (po‘al), which means "work, deed, accomplishment." It refers to an active engagement in productive tasks. This work is not simply exertion, but a constructive output or achievement. It signifies humanity's unique capacity to shape and interact with creation in meaningful ways, reflecting God's own po‘al in creation. It suggests human work is purposeful and contributes to something.

• and to his labor (וְלַעֲבֹדָתוֹ - vəla‘avōdātō): This word, עֲבֹדָה (‘ăvōdāh), is profoundly significant. It encompasses not just physical "labor" or "service" but also carries connotations of "worship" or "religious service." In an agricultural society, this term often referred to agricultural work (e.g., cultivation), but also the service rendered to a master. The double meaning here subtly elevates human work to something more than mere drudgery; it suggests work is a form of service, even devotion, fitting for beings made in God's image and given stewardship. It can imply a consecrated service within the order God has established.

• until the evening (עַד־עָרֶב - ‘ad-‘ārev): This phrase defines the duration and natural boundary of the workday. It signifies the end of the daylight hours, marking a natural transition from activity to rest, just as God Himself established day and night. It indicates the necessary limitation and cyclical nature of human endeavor, leading towards a time of cessation and renewal. This reflects divine ordering, as the boundary provides rest, which is vital for human sustenance and well-being.

• words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Man goes out": This phrase highlights human agency and the initiation of activity in alignment with natural rhythms. Unlike creatures emerging only under specific conditions, man purposefully departs from his place to undertake tasks, reflecting his distinct role as a conscious, purposeful worker within creation. It implies a daily intentional beginning.
  • "to his work and to his labor": The parallelism of "work" and "labor" underscores the multifaceted nature of human activity. While "work" points to specific tasks or deeds, "labor" (avodah) extends to the concept of service or diligent effort, subtly infusing human toil with a sense of dignity and purpose. This suggests human activity isn't just about output, but also the devotion and service embodied in it. The dual phrase reinforces the idea that man's daily existence involves purposeful, often strenuous, engagement.
  • "until the evening": This establishes the temporal boundary for daily activity, contrasting with the nocturnal world previously described in the psalm. It emphasizes the finite nature of each day's effort and implicitly points towards a time of cessation and rest. This cyclical pattern of day-night and work-rest is part of the divine order, designed for the sustenance and renewal of creation, including humanity.

Psalm 104 23 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 104 deliberately mirrors Genesis 1, depicting creation not just as an event, but as an ongoing process of sustenance by God. In this context, human "going out to work" is an active participation in this divine maintenance. While Psa 104:20-22 describe wild animals, which are mostly nocturnal and passive recipients of God’s provision, man's labor, as stated in Psa 104:23, is distinctly active and transformative. This distinction highlights humanity's unique role as co-laborers or stewards within the created order, tasked with shaping and cultivating the earth (Gen 1:28; 2:15). This "labor" (avodah) can be seen as humanity's structured worship through active stewardship, acknowledging God's ongoing work of providence by participating in it. The psalm's joyful tone around this "going out to work" stands in contrast to the curse of Genesis 3:17-19, not by ignoring the difficulty, but by placing human work within the larger context of God's benevolent design and ongoing provision for the diligent worker.

Psalm 104 23 Commentary

Psalm 104:23 paints a picture of humanity’s designated place within God’s magnificent created order. Following the grand account of divine design in the cosmos, this verse brings the focus to mankind, illustrating that humans are not idle observers but active participants. "Man goes out" signifies his daily emergence from rest to engage with the world. The parallelism of "work" (po’al) and "labor" (avodah) suggests the diverse yet unified nature of human productivity, spanning concrete tasks and the very concept of devoted service. Notably, avodah carries theological weight, connecting human effort to a form of service that can extend even to worship, suggesting an inherent dignity in work as a divine assignment.

The phrase "until the evening" firmly places human work within a natural, divinely established rhythm, implying boundaries and the necessity of rest. This is not arbitrary drudgery but a purposeful daily cycle of activity and renewal, mirroring the structured rest found in the creation narrative itself (Gen 2:2-3). The verse celebrates that God provides a world to be engaged with and the capacity for humans to do so. It also implicitly highlights human dependence on divine sustenance; man toils, but it is God who provides the environment, the strength, and the sustenance from the earth to make his labor fruitful. In a broad sense, it reinforces that work is a good, ordained aspect of life, even though toil was complicated by the Fall. The psalm invites contemplation of how human work participates in, rather than disrupts, God's beautiful and sustainable creation.

• Example for practical usage: The verse encourages a healthy view of work as a meaningful, God-given task rather than mere drudgery. It reminds us to engage diligently during the "day" of our work, while also respecting the "evening" or the need for rest and spiritual renewal, maintaining a divine balance.