Psalms 92:4

Psa 92:4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

Ver. 4. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad, &c.] And I will improve this cheerfulness to thankfulness, Jas 5:13. On the sabbath we ought solummodo spiritualibus gaudiis repleri, to be filled with spiritual joys only, saith the Council of Paris, held A.D. 820.

I will triumph in the works of thy hands] sc. The works of creation, administration, but especially of redemption.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Psa_92:4-6

For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands.

Delight in Gods works

The Hebrew prophets and psalmists, when their minds were in the most exalted and inspired state, saw God in everything; in the mightiest and in the meanest movements of the universe, in all the events of history and in all the incidents of the individual experience. They were all and everywhere the works of God. To them the universe was no self-propelling machine, but a living organism of which God was the ever present soul.

1. Religious people are often afraid of science, and denounce it as an enemy to faith and piety. But what is science, and what is its aim? Its aim is to know and understand Gods work in nature. Why should such an aim be construed as antagonistic to religion or detrimental to piety? God has not sent us into the world blindfolded to the wonder and glory of His works, as if He did not mean us to unriddle the secrets of His workmanship.

2. Then there are rich poetic reasons for a closer communion with the Divine works of nature. God has endowed the meanest nature among us with the susceptibility of being pleased and delighted with the scenes of beauty and grandeur with which the world is filled. We were made for very sweet and pure enjoyments, and not only to grind in the mill of our daily work. This must have been partly what the psalmist meant (Psa_92:4).

3. Then there is the religious motive to a more intimate acquaintance with the works of God. How great are Thy works, and Thy thoughts are very deep! The Divine thoughts are embodied and expressed in the Divine works. And if we wish to know God more perfectly, what ideas the Divine Being has been expressing in His creative acts--ideas of beauty, goodness, and power; to know something of the range of the infinite wisdom, and something of the sweep and compass of Almighty power, we must give ourselves with greater energy to the contemplation and study of His works. (C. Short, M.A.)

Divine workmanship

I. The work of the Lord.

1. Creation.

2. Providence.

3. Grace. The renovation of the heart of man, the removal of idolatry, the creation of the beauties of holiness, that is the work of God. And it is His chief work, His sublimest achievement.

II. Some reasons or grounds on which a contemplation of this work of grace is so eminently fitted to inspire the breasts of good men with sentiments of peculiar gladness.

1. Because it is a work of such beneficial character and tendency. Wherever you see a sinner converted from the error of his ways, you see the firstfruits of a most glorious state, the scene of a mighty harvest.

2. Because it contains the richest impress of the hand of its Author.

3. Because it is a work so surprising and unexpected. Eye hath not seen, etc.

4. On account of its permanency. This work shall advance and triumph, till there shall be unbelief nowhere, faith everywhere; hatred nowhere, love everywhere; confusion nowhere, order everywhere; darkness nowhere, light everywhere; Satan nowhere on earth, Christ everywhere.

5. Because of its necessary connection with still higher operations. The work is too much for one world to hold. When it has filled one world it will rush over into another, and fill the recesses of eternity when earth is a cinder and time a story. (W. Beaumont, D.D.)

The Christian made glad

I. An interesting subject. It is the work of God--

1. To redeem the soul (Joh_3:16; Psa_89:19; Rom_8:3; Rom_5:6-8).

2. To regenerate the soul (Eph_2:1; 2Co_5:17; Joh_1:13; 1Pe_1:23).

3. To receive the soul to favours and privileges lost by sin (Eph_2:11-13).

4. To comfort the soul (Isa_40:1-2; 2Co_1:3-4; Psa_119:50; Rom_15:4; Act_9:31).

5. To protect and save His people to the end (Rom_8:31).

6. To glorify the soul (Joh_14:2-3; Joh_17:24).

II. An interesting statement: Thou hast made me glad through Thy works. This gladness is--

1. Divine (Psa_40:1-3).

2. The gladness of experience (Psa_4:7).

3. Social joy (Mal_3:16).

4. The gladness of faith and hope (Rom_15:4; Heb_6:16-19; Tit_1:2; Tit_2:13).

III. A judicious resolution: I will triumph in the work of Thy hands. This implies--

1. Grateful acknowledgment of Divine obligation (1Pe_1:3).

2. Intimate acquaintance and rapturous satisfaction with the works of Gods hands (1Co_2:2; Gal_6:14).

3. Expectation of an ultimate and complete triumph.

4. A determination to proclaim the works of Gods hands to others. (Helps for the Pulpit.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Psa 92:4-5. For thou hast made me glad through thy work, &c. — Which thou didst create by thine almighty power, and dost still govern with infinite wisdom. “A prospect of creation, in the vernal season,” says Dr. Horne, “fallen as it is, inspires the mind with joy, which no words can express. But how doth the regenerate soul exult and triumph at beholding that work of God’s hands whereby he creates all things anew in Christ Jesus! If we can be pleased with such a world as this, where sin and death have fixed their habitation; shall we not much rather admire those other heavens and that other earth wherein dwell righteousness and life? What are we to think of the palace, since even the prison is not without its charms!” O Lord, how great are thy works! — Great beyond expression, beyond conception! The products of boundless power and unsearchable wisdom; men’s works are nothing to them. We cannot comprehend the greatness of God’s works, and therefore must reverently and awfully wonder, and even stand amazed at the magnificence of them. Thy thoughts are very deep — Here he assigns the reason of the inconceivable greatness and grandeur of God’s works. Mens’ works are little and trifling, for their thoughts are shallow: but God’s works are very great, and such as cannot be measured, because his thoughts are very deep, and such as cannot be fathomed. Or, he speaks of God’s counsels and methods in the government of the world and of his church. All his counsels, whether in creation or providence, as much exceed the contrivances of human wisdom as his works do the efforts of human power!

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

5. (Psa 92:4) For thou hast gladdened me, Jehovah, with thy work; in the doings of thy hands I will rejoice. This verse introduces the theme or subject of the praise proposed, to wit, the work and doings of the Lord, i.e. his pro vidential dealings. See above, on Psa 90:16-17. The last verb denotes properly the vocal expression of an inward joy.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

92:4-7 Fools perish because they do not understand the Lord’s marvelous works and eternal plans.

92:4-5 The Lord acts and the psalmist responds in praise (92:4). God’s actions spring from his thoughts (92:5).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

He showeth what is the use of the Sabbath day: to wit, to meditate God’s works.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 4. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work] I am delighted with thy conduct towards me; with the work of thy providence, the works of thy grace, and thy works of creation.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4 Because thou, Jehovah, hast made me glad. The Psalmist repeats the truth that the Sabbath was not prescribed as a day of idleness, but a season when we should collect our whole energies for meditation upon the works of God. He intimates, at the same time, that those are best qualified for celebrating the praises of God who recognize and feel his fatherly goodness, and can undertake this service with willing and joyful minds. His language implies that the goodness and faithfulness of God, which he had already mentioned, are apparent in his works upon a due examination of them. What produces joy in our hearts is the exhibition which God gives of himself as a Father, and of his deep and watchful anxiety for our welfare; as, on the other hand, the cause of our brutish indifference is our inability to savor or relish the end designed in the works of God. As the universe proclaims throughout that God is faithful and good, it becomes us to be diligently observant of these tokens, and to be excited by a holy joy to the celebration of his praise.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(4) The Vulgate rendering of this verse is quoted by Dante in a beautiful passage descriptive of the happiness which flows from delight in the beauty of the works of God in nature. But the reference is to the works in history, not in nature. The psalmist is really expressing his gladness at God’s wonders wrought for Israel. (Comp. Psa_90:15-16,” Make us glad . . . let thy work appear unto thy servants.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4. hast made me glad through thy work] The prayer of Psa_90:15-16 has been answered. God has wrought for Israel.

I will triumph] Or, as in Psa_90:14, I will shout for joy. Not only joy but the expression of it is meant.

the works of thy hands] Or, the doings of thy hands, a different word from that in the preceding line. The context makes it clear that God’s work and doings do not here mean the works of creation (Psa_8:3; Psa_8:6), but the dealings of His Providence (Psa_28:5; Psa_143:5; Isa_5:12). It is the victory of righteousness which has gladdened the Psalmist’s heart.

4–8. The special ground for praise in the manifestation of Jehovah’s sovereignty.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work,.... Either of creation, which work is mentioned in the precept of the sabbath, as an argument for it; and therefore a very proper work to be remembered and observed on that day; or of providence, which in general extends to all men, but especially to them that believe; or of the work of redemption wrought out by Christ, which is cause of great joy and gladness; or of the work of grace upon the soul, which when a man is satisfied of, gives him infinite pleasure, as knowing it will be performed until the day of Christ; and when a man is in such a joyful frame of spirit, he is in a very suitable one to sing the praises of God, Jam 5:13,

I will triumph in the works of thine hands; those before mentioned; or shout aloud for joy, on account of them; and also triumph over all enemies, as being out of the reach of them, so as to be hurt and ruined by them.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad - Thou hast made me happy; thou hast given me such a state of feeling as finds an appropriate expression in “praise.”

Through thy work - Either the work of creation, the finishing of which the Sabbath was designed particularly to commemorate; or the works of God in general - the universe; or the general dealings of his providence; or some particular interpositions of Providence in his behalf that called for special praise. All these are appropriately combined in the celebrations - the praises - of the Sabbath; to these should be added, as among the most marvelous of his works, and that which furnishes special occasion for praise on the Christian Sabbath, the wonderful work of redemption - that which of all the “works” of God makes a heart rightly affected most “glad.”

I will triumph - I will exult or rejoice.

In the works of thy hands - In all thy works; in all that thou hast done.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Which thou didst create by thine almighty power, and dost still govern with infinite wisdom; one instance whereof we have in the following verses.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 4. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work. It was natural for the psalmist to sing, because he was glad, and to sing unto the Lord, because his gladness was caused by a contemplation of the divine work. If we consider either creation or providence, we shall find overflowing reasons for joy; but when we come to review the work of redemption, gladness knows no bounds, but feels that she must praise the Lord with all her might. There are times when in the contemplation of redeeming love we feel that if we did not sing we must die; silence would be as horrible to us as if we were gagged by inquisitors, or stifled by murderers.

I will triumph in the works of thy hands. I cannot help it, I must and I will rejoice in the Lord, even as one who has won the victory and has divided great spoil. In the first sentence of this verse he expresses the unity of God's work, and in the second the variety of his works; in both there is reason for gladness and triumph. When God reveals his work to a man, and performs a work in his soul, he makes his heart glad most effectually, and then the natural consequence is continual praise.

Ver. 4. Thou LORD hast made me glad through thy work. One of the parts of the well spending of the Sabbath, is the looking upon, and consideration of the works of creation. The consideration of the Lord's works will afford us much sweet refreshment and joy when God blesses the meditation; and when it is so we ought to acknowledge our gladness most thankfully and lift up our heart in his ways. David Dickson.

Ver. 4. Thy work. The "work of God" here is one no less marvellous than that of creation, which was the original ground of hallowing the Sabbath (see title of this Psalm) namely, the final redemption of his people. A.R. Fausset.

Ver. 4. Made me glad through thy work, etc. Surely there is nothing in the world, short of the most undivided reciprocal attachment, that has such power over the workings of the human heart as the mild sweetness of Nature. The most ruffled temper, when emerging from the town, will subside into a calm at the sight of an extended landscape reposing in the twilight of a fine evening. It is then that the spirit of peace settles upon the heart, unfetters the thoughts, and elevates the soul to the Creator. It is then that we behold the Parent of the universe in his works; we see his grandeur in earth, sea, sky; we feel his affection in the emotions which they raise, and half mortal, half etherealized, forgot where we are in the anticipation of what that world must be, of which this lovely earth is merely the shadow. Miss Porter.

Ver. 4. I will triumph in the works of thy hands. Here it will be most fitting to remind the reader of those three great bursts of adoring song, which in different centuries have gushed forth from souls enraptured with the sight of nature. They are each of them clear instances of triumphing in the works of God's hands. How majestically Milton sang when he said of our unfallen parents,

"Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise

Their Maker, in fit strains pronounced or sung

Unmeditated; such prompt eloquence

Flowed from their lips in prose or numerous verse,

More tunable than needed lute or harp

To add more sweetness."

Then he gives us that noble hymn, too well known for us to quote, the reader will find it in the fifth book of the Paradise Lost, commencing

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty!"

Thomson also, in his Seasons, rises to a wonderful height, as he closes his poem with a hymn

"These as they change, Almighty Father, these

Are but the varied God."

Coleridge in his "Hymn before Sunrise, in the Vale of Chamouni", equally well treads the high places of triumphant devotion, as he cries

"Awake my soul! not only passive praise

Thou owest! not alone these swelling tears,

Mute thanks and secret ecstasy! Awake,

Voice of sweet song! Awake, my heart, awake!

Green vales and icy cliffs, all join my hymn."

Ver. 4. (first sentence).

1. My state"glad."

2. How I arrived at it"thou hast made me glad."

3. What is the ground of it? "through thy work."

4. What, then, shall I do? ascribe it all to God, and bless him for it.

Ver. 4.

1. The most divine gladnessof God's creation, having God's work for its argument.

2. The most divine triumphcaused by the varied works of God in creation, providence, redemption, & c. The first is for our own hearts, the second is for the convincing of those around us.

Psalms 92:5*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. Glad through thy work— “Work,” here, is used collectively for a series of providential acts. The pious heart is gladdened when faith sees the purposes of God unfolding.

Triumph in the works of thy hands—In this second hemistich a different word for “work” is used; one of more comprehensive import, and expressive of acts of creation as well as providence.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work. It is difficult to say what "work" is intended. Some have supposed "the work of creation," as the psalm is one "for the sabbath" (see title); but perhaps the general "working" of God"s providence in the world is more probable. (So Hengstenberg, Kay, and Cheyne.) I will triumph in the works of thy hands. A repetition for the sake of emphasis.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Statement of the ground of this commendation of the praise of God. Whilst פּעל is the usual word for God's historical rule (Psa 44:2; Psa 64:10; Psa 90:16, etc.), מעשׂי ידיך denotes the works of the Creator of the world, although not to the exclusion of those of the Ruler of the world (Psa 143:5). To be able to rejoice over the revelation of God in creation and the revelation of God in general is a gift from above, which the poet thankfully confesses that he has received. The Vulgate begins Psa 92:5 Quia delectasti me, and Dante in his Purgatorio, xxviii. 80, accordingly calls the Psalm il Salmo Delectasti; a smiling female form, which represents the life of Paradise, says, as she gathers flowers, she is so happy because, with the Psalm Delectasti, she takes a delight in the glory of God's works. The works of God are transcendently great; very deep are His thoughts, which mould human history and themselves gain from in it (cf. Psa 40:6; Psa 139:17., where infinite fulness is ascribed to them, and Isa 55:8, where infinite height is ascribed to them). Man can neither measure the greatness of the divine works nor fathom the depth of the divine thoughts; he who is enlightened, however, perceives the immeasurableness of the one and the unfathomableness of the other, whilst a אישׁ־בּער, a man of animal nature, homo brutus (vid., Psa 73:22), does not come to the knowledge (לא ידע, used absolutely as in Psa 14:4), and כּסיל, a blockhead, or one dull in mind, whose carnal nature outweighs his intellectual and spiritual nature, does not discern את־זאת (cf. Sa2 13:17), id ipsum, viz., how unsearchable are God's judgments and untrackable His ways (Rom 11:33).

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

glad

happy

through your deeds

The abstract noun phrase "your deeds" can be translated with the relative clause "what you have done." AT: "by what you have done" (See: Abstract Nouns)

the deeds of your hands

The abstract noun phrase "the deeds of your hands" can be translated with the relative clause "what your hands have done." The word "hands" is a synecdoche for the whole person. AT: "What you have done" (See: Abstract Nouns and Synecdoche)

your deeds

The abstract noun phrase "your deeds" can be translated with a relative clause. AT: "what you have done" (See: Abstract Nouns)

Your thoughts are very deep

"We cannot understand what you plan to do until you do it"

Your thoughts

The abstract noun phrase "your thoughts" can be translated with a relative clause. AT: "What you think" or "What you plan" (See: Abstract Nouns)

translationWords

works

joy

hand

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

Upon a ten-stringed harp and upon a psaltery Heb. עשור, a harp of ten strings.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.