Psalms 92:5
O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
גָּדְל֣וּ
how great
H1431
גָּדְל֣וּ
how great
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
2 of 7
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ
are thy works
H4639
מַעֲשֶׂ֣יךָ
are thy works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
3 of 7
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יְהוָ֑ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְ֝אֹ֗ד
are very
H3966
מְ֝אֹ֗ד
are very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
Cross References
Psalms 40:5Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.Psalms 139:17How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!1 Corinthians 2:10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.Psalms 111:2The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.Revelation 15:3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.Psalms 66:3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Isaiah 28:29This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.Psalms 104:24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.Ecclesiastes 7:24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
Historical Context
Written in an ancient Near Eastern context where pagan nations attributed natural phenomena to multiple deities, this psalm boldly declares one sovereign Creator behind all works.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of God's created order most cause you to 'sing for joy' at His creative genius?
- How can contemplating the intricacy of God's works in nature deepen your trust in His providence?
Analysis & Commentary
The parallelism of 'works' and 'hands' emphasizes both the magnitude and the personal agency of God's creative activity. Singing for joy (ranan—a ringing cry) represents worship that cannot be contained, bursting forth in exuberant praise. The greatness of God's works should naturally produce proportionate worship. This verse refutes both deism (distant God) and materialism (impersonal forces) by celebrating a personally active Creator.