Meaning and Interpretation

This verse encapsulates a beautiful prayer for divine favor and significance in our endeavors. It reflects a deep desire for God's presence and beauty to manifest in the lives of His people, granting them strength and anchoring their work.

The underlying message emphasizes the importance of God’s blessing in all human endeavors. The psalmist calls upon God to establish and give significance to our works, highlighting the need for divine intervention and grace in everyday life.

Commentary Insights

• Matthew Henry:

  Henry emphasizes that the plea for God's beauty signifies a longing for His presence and divine favor. This beauty refers not only to the favor God shows His people but also to the effectiveness of their work. Without God’s blessing, labor is in vain.

• Albert Barnes:

  Barnes discusses the request for God to establish the work of our hands as a recognition of human limitations. He points out that it is only through divine assistance that our earthly endeavors gain eternal value and significance.

• Adam Clarke:

  Clarke expounds on the dual nature of this verse, portraying it both as a request for God’s aesthetic beauty to rest upon us and a prayer for the success of our labor. Clarke suggests that the heart of the psalmist is focused on the necessity of divine support for human activity to truly count.

Cross-References

This verse resonates with several other scriptural passages that emphasize God's role in human endeavors and the significance of His presence:

• Psalm 127:1: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."
• Exodus 33:15: "And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
• Proverbs 16:3: "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
• Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
• Colossians 3:23-24: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance."
• 1 Corinthians 3:9: "For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building."
• James 4:13-15: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow."

Thematic Connections

This verse connects with broader biblical themes such as divine providence, the importance of seeking God in our labors, and the recognition that our work gains value through God’s involvement. Other verses that relate to these themes include:

• Psalm 37:5: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
• Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles."
• Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Tools for Bible Cross-Referencing

Engaging with scripture in a meaningful way can be enhanced with various resources:

• Bible Concordance: A comprehensive listing of biblical terms and topics for reference.
• Bible Cross-Reference Guide: Useful for identifying connections between verses.
• Cross-Reference Bible Study: Methods focusing on thematic studies and verse connections.

Conclusion

Psalms 90:17 serves as a profound reminder of the need for God's presence in our lives and endeavors. By understanding its implications and interconnections with other scriptures, believers can deepen their relationship with God and the work they engage in. Recognizing that our efforts can only flourish through divine beauty and establishment lays a foundational truth for Christians' daily lives.