Psalm 104 31

Psalm 104:31 kjv

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

Psalm 104:31 nkjv

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; May the LORD rejoice in His works.

Psalm 104:31 niv

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works?

Psalm 104:31 esv

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,

Psalm 104:31 nlt

May the glory of the LORD continue forever!
The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 31 Meaning

Psalm 104:31 expresses a profound doxology, a declaration of praise and hope concerning God's attributes and actions. It first proclaims a desire for the eternal nature of the Lord's "glory" – His inherent majesty, substantial presence, and the splendor of His revelation in creation – to continue perpetually. The second part speaks anthropomorphically of the Lord's deep satisfaction and "rejoicing" over "his works," specifically the intricate and wondrous creation described throughout the psalm. It encapsulates both a theological assertion of God's abiding sovereignty and a joyful affirmation of His relationship with His created order.

Psalm 104 31 Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn praising God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. It paints a vibrant picture of God's ongoing work in the natural world, from establishing the heavens and earth to providing for all living creatures. The psalm begins by inviting the psalmist's soul to bless the Lord, then describes God arrayed in splendor, forming the earth's foundations, clothing it with light, and arranging the waters and mountains. It details His provision for animals and humans, and the natural cycles of day and night. The overall thrust is one of profound awe at God's wisdom and power in His creative and sustaining activities. Verse 31 acts as a powerful conclusion, a wish for the eternal duration of this glorious reign and a statement of God's joyful satisfaction in His intricate handiwork. It functions as a doxology within the psalm, summing up its praise for God's creation and His enduring involvement with it. Historically, the psalm may reflect polemical themes, implicitly contrasting YHWH's absolute, joyous sovereignty over creation with the often chaotic and anthropomorphic creation myths of surrounding cultures, such as the Baal myths, where deities struggled for control or experienced instability. YHWH's glory is enduring, and He actively delights in His perfectly ordered creation.

Psalm 104 31 Word analysis

• May the glory (כָּבוֹד - kavod):
  • Word Level: Kavod primarily signifies "weight," then "honor," "dignity," and "majesty." In the context of God, it speaks of His inherent, weighty splendor, His divine essence, and His manifest presence (e.g., in the tabernacle, Ex 40:34-35; or His manifest power in creation, Isa 6:3). It is not merely reputation but the reality of who God is. The optative "May" (implied in the jussive form of the verb "endure") expresses a devout wish or prayer, acknowledging God's glory as worthy of eternal recognition.
  • Significance: This is a petition for the perpetual acknowledgment and experience of God's self-revelation and inherent majesty in the created order.
• of the Lord (יהוה - YHWH):
  • Word Level: This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15), emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature.
  • Significance: The glory attributed is not of a generic deity, but of the specific God of Israel, the one true Creator and Sustainer who relates personally with His creation and His people.
• endure (יְהִי - yehi , lit. "be" or "become") forever (לְעוֹלָם - le'olam):
  • Word Level: Le'olam signifies perpetuity, eternity, an unending duration. The verb indicates continuance or establishment.
  • Significance: This phrase expresses the wish for God's glory not just to exist, but to be eternally recognized, established, and never diminishing. It contrasts with anything finite or fleeting in the created realm. It reflects an affirmation of God's unchanging nature and power.
• may the Lord (יהוה - YHWH) rejoice (יִשְׂמַח - yismach):
  • Word Level: Yismach means "to be glad," "to be joyful," "to delight." This is an anthropomorphism, attributing human emotion to God.
  • Significance: It reveals God as personally invested in and satisfied with His creation. He is not a distant, dispassionate architect but a joyful sovereign who delights in the order and beauty He has brought forth. This is profound – the ultimate being finds joy in His handiwork.
• in his works (מַעֲשָׂיו - ma'asav):
  • Word Level: Ma'asav refers to "his deeds," "his actions," "his products," or "his creations." In this psalm, it specifically refers to the entire creation—heavens, earth, waters, animals, human beings—and God's sustaining actions (vv. 10-30).
  • Significance: God's joy is derived from His meticulously crafted and sustained cosmos. It implies His satisfaction in its inherent goodness, as stated in Gen 1:31 ("very good"), and His ongoing providence over it. It signifies the success and perfection of His creative intent.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "May the glory of the Lord endure forever": This segment expresses a strong doxological desire. It's a prayerful acclamation that God's revealed majesty and inherent weight (His kavod) should stand perpetual. It speaks to God's transcendence and unchanging character. The prayer emphasizes that God's renown and manifest presence are eternal, regardless of human acknowledgment. It's an affirmation of God's self-existence and boundless power that is revealed in His creation.
• "may the Lord rejoice in his works": This segment shifts focus to God's immanence and His relationship with creation. It highlights the divine enjoyment of His creation. This anthropomorphic statement speaks to God's perfect satisfaction and delight in the universe He meticulously designed and sustains. It portrays God not merely as a cosmic mechanic but as a benevolent King who takes personal joy in His realm. This delight signifies that creation is not accidental or flawed but fulfills God's wise and good purposes, deserving of His pleasure.

Psalm 104 31 Bonus section

The structure of Psalm 104 has often been compared to the creation account in Genesis 1, with both portraying an ordered progression of God's creative acts and ending with an affirmation of goodness or glory. This verse (Ps 104:31) serves as a climactic doxological utterance within this framework. Furthermore, the psalmist's wish that God's glory endure "forever" connects this specific creative act to the broader theme of divine faithfulness and eternal purpose found throughout Scripture. It's a statement of trust that the Lord's character and dominion over all things will remain constant and powerful. The emphasis on God's "rejoicing" highlights His active presence and investment in creation; He is not a deistic God who sets things in motion and then withdraws, but one who actively sustains and finds satisfaction in His ongoing work. This aspect underscores God's personal relationship with all He has made. This Psalm's closing verses (including v. 31) are sometimes understood as forming part of the Hallel psalms or similar liturgical sequences, emphasizing perpetual praise for God's redemptive and creative power.

Psalm 104 31 Commentary

Psalm 104:31 serves as a pivotal and summarizing statement in this grand hymn of creation. The verse beautifully intertwines two core theological truths: God's eternal glory and His profound joy in His creation. The first half, "May the glory of the Lord endure forever," is a declaration of ultimate reality and an expression of worship. It acknowledges that God's intrinsic majesty and the visible manifestation of His power and wisdom in creation are not transient but perpetually established. This enduring glory reassures the observer of creation's stability, rooted in God's unchanging nature. The second half, "may the Lord rejoice in his works," reveals the benevolent heart of the Creator. It paints a picture of God delighting in the universe He has made and continues to sustain. This joy is not merely satisfaction, but a profound pleasure in the harmonious unfolding of His designs. This divine rejoicing carries profound implications for human stewardship and enjoyment of creation. As those made in God's image, our own joy in the beauty and order of the world mirrors God's own delight and invites us to glorify Him through responsible interaction with His handiwork. It prompts us to reflect His joy by participating in His delight, not only appreciating creation but also aligning our lives with His good purposes for it.