New International Version May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. New Living Translation And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! English Standard Version Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Berean Standard Bible May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands! Berean Literal Bible And may the favor of YHWH our God come to be upon us, and may You support the work of our hands upon us—and the work of our hands establish! King James Bible 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. New King James Version And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. New American Standard Bible May the kindness of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. NASB 1995 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. NASB 1977 And let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And do confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands. Legacy Standard Bible Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And establish for us the work of our hands; Establish the work of our hands. Amplified Bible And let the [gracious] favor of the Lord our God be on us; Confirm for us the work of our hands— Yes, confirm the work of our hands. Berean Annotated Bible May the favor (beauty) of the Lord our God {Adonai Elohenu} rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands! Christian Standard Bible Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands — establish the work of our hands! Holman Christian Standard Bible Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands— establish the work of our hands! American Standard Version And let the favor 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. Contemporary English Version Our Lord and our God, treat us with kindness and let all go well for us. Please let all go well! English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us. Make us successful in everything we do. Yes, make us successful in everything we do. Good News Translation Lord our God, may your blessings be with us. Give us success in all we do! International Standard Version May your favor be on us, Lord our God; make our endeavors successful; yes, make our endeavors secure! NET Bible May our sovereign God extend his favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful! New Heart English Bible Let the favor of the LORD our God be on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Webster's Bible Translation And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yes, the work of our hands establish thou it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMay the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands! World English Bible Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us. Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd let the pleasantness of our God YHWH be on us, "" And establish on us the work of our hands, "" Indeed, establish the work of our hands! Berean Literal Bible And may the favor of YHWH our God come to be upon us, and may You support the work of our hands upon us—and the work of our hands establish! Young's Literal Translation And let the pleasantness of Jehovah our God be upon us, And the work of our hands establish on us, Yea, the work of our hands establish it! Smith's Literal Translation And the sweetness of Jehovah our God shall be upon us: and the work of our hands prepare thou it upon us; and the work of our hands prepare thou it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible May the favor of the Lord our God be ours. Prosper the work of our hands! Prosper the work of our hands! New Revised Standard Version Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands— O prosper the work of our hands! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us; for the work of his hands made us, yea, he made us by the work of his hands. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Let the sweetness of LORD JEHOVAH our God be upon us, because of the works of his hands which he has fashioned for us, and he formed us among the work of his hands! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And let the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; Establish Thou also upon us the work of our hands; Yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it. Brenton Septuagint Translation And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and do thou direct for us the works of our hands. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context I Will Sing of His Love Forever…16May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children. 17May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands— yes, establish the work of our hands! Cross References May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; Psalm 67:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah Numbers 6:24-26 ‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; / may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; / may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’ Psalm 80:3 Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. establish for us the work of our hands— Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD will open the heavens, His abundant storehouse, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations, but borrow from none. Isaiah 26:12 O LORD, You will establish peace for us. For all that we have accomplished, You have done for us. yes, establish the work of our hands! Zechariah 4:9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you. Psalm 128:2 For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Deuteronomy 33:11 Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more.” Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith, Nehemiah 6:16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and disheartened, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God. 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. / For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. / O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy Name, and all of it belongs to You. Treasury of Scripture And let the beauty of the LORD our God be on us: and establish you the work of our hands on us; yes, the work of our hands establish you it. and let Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Psalm 80:3,7 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved… establish Psalm 68:28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. Psalm 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Job 22:28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. Jump to Previous Beauty Confirm Establish Favor Graciousness Hands Pleasantness Pleasure Rest Strength WorkJump to Next Beauty Confirm Establish Favor Graciousness Hands Pleasantness Pleasure Rest Strength WorkPsalm 90 1. Moses, setting forth God's providence3. Complains of human fragility 7. Divine chastisement 10. and brevity of life 12. He prays for the knowledge and sensible experience of God's good providence. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; Moses closes his prayer by seeking God’s gracious presence and approval upon His covenant people. After contemplating human frailty, sin, and the brevity of life, Israel’s only hope is the Lord’s mercy. The request recalls the Aaronic blessing, in which the Lord makes His face shine upon His people and gives them peace (Numbers 6:24–26). God had visibly dwelt with Israel in the wilderness through the pillar of cloud and fire, and Moses now asks that His abiding goodness would mark their lives. Psa 67:1 For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm.… establish for us the work of our hands— Human labor, though ordained by God, bears the burden of life in a fallen world and cannot produce lasting fruit apart from His blessing. Moses asks the Lord to make Israel’s labor firm, fruitful, and enduring. The prayer includes daily provision, the building of homes and families, and Israel’s calling to serve God among the nations. Proverbs 16:3 similarly teaches that work committed to the Lord is established by Him. Pro 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans… yes, establish the work of our hands! The repeated petition reveals urgent dependence upon God. Israel could not secure a future through strength, planning, or effort alone; the Lord had to give permanence to all they did. God grants lasting significance to work performed in faith and obedience, ultimately directing His people toward the work of Christ, whose obedience and sacrifice accomplished the eternal redemption human labor could never achieve. Zec 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 90, Moses is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments from God. 2. Israelites The people of God who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. This Psalm reflects their dependence on God for sustenance and purpose during their journey. 3. Wilderness The setting for much of Moses' leadership, representing both physical and spiritual challenges faced by the Israelites. Teaching Points Divine FavorGod's favor is essential for the success and fulfillment of our endeavors. We should seek His blessing in all aspects of our lives, recognizing that without His grace, our efforts are in vain. Purposeful Work The work of our hands is not just about productivity but about fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. We are called to align our efforts with His will, ensuring that our work has eternal significance. Dependence on God Just as the Israelites depended on God in the wilderness, we must rely on Him to guide and establish our paths. This dependence fosters a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of His plans for us. Legacy and Impact The establishment of our work by God ensures that it has a lasting impact. We should strive to leave a legacy that reflects God's glory and advances His kingdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 90:17?2. How can we seek God's favor to "establish the work of our hands"? 3. What does Psalm 90:17 teach about the importance of God's approval in work? 4. How does Psalm 90:17 connect with Proverbs 16:3 about committing work to God? 5. In what ways can we ensure our work aligns with God's will daily? 6. How can we pray for God's beauty to be upon us in our endeavors? 7. How does Psalm 90:17 reflect God's role in establishing the work of our hands? 8. What is the historical context of Psalm 90:17 in the Book of Psalms? 9. How does Psalm 90:17 influence the Christian understanding of divine favor? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 90? What Does Psalm 90:17 Mean May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us• The psalmist looks for more than a passing blessing; he longs for God’s steady, abiding goodwill to “rest upon” His people—an enduring state rather than a fleeting moment (Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 5:12). • “Favor” speaks of grace we do not earn. Just as Noah “found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8), we rely entirely on God’s undeserved kindness. • Inviting that favor is an act of humility, acknowledging that every good gift comes from above (James 1:17). • When the Lord’s favor settles on a life, security and joy follow, even in hardship (Psalm 30:5; Isaiah 41:10). Establish for us the work of our hands • To “establish” means to make firm, lasting, and fruitful. Without God’s intervention, even our best efforts are temporary (Psalm 39:5-6). • The cry echoes Psalm 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” We ask God to transform ordinary tasks into enduring kingdom service. • Everyday labors—raising children, serving at church, managing a business—find eternal significance when God secures the outcome (1 Corinthians 15:58). • The request is not for personal glory but for God’s purposes to prevail in what we create and cultivate (Colossians 3:23-24). Yes, establish the work of our hands! • Repetition highlights urgency and faith. The psalmist doubles down because he knows only God can anchor our efforts in permanence (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). • By repeating, he shifts from petition to confidence: the God who began a good work will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). • This second appeal also reminds us that fruitful labor is meant to reflect God’s own creative work; we partner with Him as stewards of His world (Genesis 2:15; Ephesians 2:10). • Ultimately, He alone turns temporal deeds into treasures that survive the fire of judgment (1 Corinthians 3:13-14). summary Psalm 90:17 invites believers to rest in God’s ongoing favor and to depend on Him to give lasting value to everything we undertake. When His grace settles upon us, our daily work—offered back to Him—becomes secure, significant, and eternally meaningful. (17) Beauty.—Or, pleasantness. The Hebrew word, like the Greek χάρις, and our “grace,” seems to combine the ideas of “beauty” and “favour.”Verse 17. - And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us (comp. Psalm 45:24, "Thou art fairer than the children of men;" Psalm 27:4, "To behold the beauty of the Lord;" Isaiah 33:17, "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty"). The "beauty of God" is upon us when we see and realize the loveliness of his character. And establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. The repetition adds nothing, except it be emphasis. God is asked, finally, to "establish the work" in which his servants are engaged - to bless it; that is, to advance it and prosper it. The nature of the "work" is not mentioned.
Hebrew May the favorנֹ֤עַם (nō·‘am) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5278: Agreeableness, delight, suitableness, splendor, grace of the Lord אֲדֹנָ֥י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord our God אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative rest וִיהִ֤י ׀ (wî·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be upon us; עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against establish כּוֹנְנָ֥ה (kō·wn·nāh) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 3559: To be erect for us עָלֵ֑ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the work וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה (ū·ma·‘ă·śêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property of our hands— יָ֭דֵינוּ (yā·ḏê·nū) Noun - fdc | first person common plural Strong's 3027: A hand establish כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃ (kō·wn·nê·hū) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3559: To be erect the work וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה (ū·ma·‘ă·śêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property of our hands! יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ (yā·ḏê·nū) Noun - fdc | first person common plural Strong's 3027: A hand Additonal Resources Psalm 90:17 Blue Letter BiblePsalm 90:17 Bible Gateway Psalm 90:17 Bible.com Psalm 90:17 NIV |
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