Psalms 90:17

Authorized King James 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וִיהִ֤י׀
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
נֹ֤עַם
H5278
And let the beauty
agreeableness, i.e., delight, suitableness, splendor or grace
#3
אֲדֹנָ֥י
H136
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#4
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ
H430
our God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
H4639
thou the work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#7
יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ
H3027
of our hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#8
כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃
H3559
be upon us and establish
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#9
עָלֵ֑ינוּ
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
H4639
thou the work
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#11
יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ
H3027
of our hands
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#12
כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃
H3559
be upon us and establish
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

Analysis

This verse develops the worship and praise theme central to Psalms. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the proper human response to God's character and works. The divine name or title here functions within worship literature expressing the full range of human experience before God to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection