Psalms 104:23
Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
Original Language Analysis
יֵצֵ֣א
goeth forth
H3318
יֵצֵ֣א
goeth forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 6
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אָדָ֣ם
Man
H120
אָדָ֣ם
Man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 6
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Cross References
Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.Ephesians 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.Ecclesiastes 5:12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.Judges 19:16And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite society was largely agricultural, with work governed by daylight hours. This verse reflects common experience of rising with sun, laboring through day, and resting at evening.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding work as God's good design transform your attitude toward your daily labor?
- What boundaries around work time do you need to establish to honor God's design for rest?
Analysis & Commentary
Man goes forth to his work and labor 'until the evening,' complementing the previous verse about lions. Humans work during day while dangerous animals rest. This divine arrangement protects humans and provides proper time for productive labor. Work is good and divinely ordained, not a curse. The 'until evening' suggests diligent work within proper boundaries, not endless toil. Christ worked as a carpenter (Mark 6:3) and taught that the Father works continually (John 5:17). The Reformed work ethic values industrious labor as vocation and divine calling.