Isaiah 49:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
לְרִ֣יק
in vain
H7385
לְרִ֣יק
in vain
Strong's:
H7385
Word #:
3 of 15
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
יָגַ֔עְתִּי
I have laboured
H3021
יָגַ֔עְתִּי
I have laboured
Strong's:
H3021
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil
לְתֹ֥הוּ
for nought
H8414
לְתֹ֥הוּ
for nought
Strong's:
H8414
Word #:
5 of 15
a desolation (of surface), i.e., desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
וְהֶ֖בֶל
and in vain
H1892
וְהֶ֖בֶל
and in vain
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
6 of 15
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
כֹּחִ֣י
my strength
H3581
כֹּחִ֣י
my strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
7 of 15
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
כִלֵּ֑יתִי
I have spent
H3615
כִלֵּ֑יתִי
I have spent
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
8 of 15
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
אָכֵן֙
yet surely
H403
אָכֵן֙
yet surely
Strong's:
H403
Word #:
9 of 15
firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but
מִשְׁפָּטִ֣י
my judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּטִ֣י
my judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יְהוָ֔ה
is with the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
is with the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Galatians 4:11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.Isaiah 62:11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Isaiah 40:10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.Isaiah 65:23They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Matthew 17:17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.2 Corinthians 2:15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:2 Corinthians 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.Ezekiel 3:19Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Historical Context
Isaiah preached for decades with little positive response (6:9-13), anticipating Jesus' rejection by the majority. The principle that 'judgment is with the LORD' sustained prophets, Christ, apostles, and missionaries through apparent failure.
Questions for Reflection
- When your faithful service seems fruitless, how does knowing 'your judgment is with the LORD' sustain you?
- What is the difference between measuring ministry success by human response versus divine approval?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Servant's lament 'I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought' expresses the apparent futility of faithful ministry when people reject the message. Yet the confidence 'my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God' demonstrates perseverance grounded in divine approval, not human response. This models ministry faithfulness when results seem absent - God evaluates effort and faithfulness, not visible success.