Psalms 90:16
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Moses's generation witnessed unprecedented divine work: ten plagues, Red Sea parting, Sinai theophany, miraculous provision in wilderness. Yet most perished in unbelief. Now Moses prays for the next generation—those born in wilderness who would enter Canaan—that they would see God's work (conquest of Canaan) and transmit its glory to their children. Joshua 4:6-7 records setting up memorial stones: "That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them... that the waters of Jordan were cut off... and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever."
Yet Israel repeatedly failed to transmit faith generationally. Judges 2:10 records tragic failure: "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel." One generation experienced deliverance; the next knew nothing of God. This demonstrates that generational faithfulness requires intentional effort—telling children God's works, teaching them His glory, training them in truth.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Psalm 78:4-7 emphasizes: "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done... that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God."
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for God's 'work' to 'appear'—to become visible and undeniable to His servants?
- How can present generation ensure that God's glory is transmitted to children rather than merely historical information about past events?
- What 'work' of God in your life should become 'glory' passed to the next generation, and how are you intentionally transmitting it?
Analysis & Commentary
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. This verse requests visible divine intervention for the present generation ("thy servants") and enduring legacy for the next generation ("their children"). Moses prays that God's redemptive work would be manifest now and that the glory of that work would impact future generations. This reflects biblical concern for both present experience of God and transmission of faith to following generations.
"Let thy work appear" (יֵרָאֶה אֶל־עֲבָדֶיךָ פָעֳלֶךָ/yera'eh el-avadekha po'olekha) uses raah (to see, appear, show) in the Niphal form—let it be seen, cause it to appear, make it visible. Po'al (work, deed, action, labor) represents God's redemptive activity in history. Moses requests that God's work become visible, obvious, manifest to His people. This implies God sometimes works invisibly, mysteriously, in ways not immediately apparent—but Moses prays for clear, undeniable demonstration of divine intervention.
"Unto thy servants" (אֶל־עֲבָדֶיךָ/el-avadekha) identifies the intended audience as avadim (servants, slaves)—God's covenant people who belong to Him. The petition is for those who serve God to see His work, to witness His intervention, to experience His redemption. This encourages faith—when God's servants see His work clearly, their faith strengthens, their hope revives, their worship deepens.
"And thy glory unto their children" (וַהֲדָרְךָ עַל־בְּנֵיהֶם/vahadarekha al-benehem) extends the request to the next generation. Hadar (glory, splendor, majesty, beauty, honor) represents God's magnificent excellence made visible. Ben (son, child, descendant) indicates the following generation. Moses prays that the glory of God's work for this generation would be transmitted to children—that the next generation would inherit not merely stories about God but living encounter with His glorious character.
The parallelism between "work" for servants and "glory" for children suggests progression: present generation experiences God's redemptive work, and that work's glory becomes legacy for next generation. Parents witness deliverance; children inherit the glory of that testimony. This establishes pattern of generational faith transmission—each generation experiencing God's work, passing its glory to the next, maintaining living faith across centuries.