Psalms 90:17
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.
Psalms 90:17
Verse 17 closes with a benediction-like request: “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.” The beauty of the Lord is a lived, perceivable radiance—character, mercy, justice, presence—that characters a community. The request for God to establish the work of our hands acknowledges human effort as legitimate but dependent on divine blessing. In the ancient world, blessings on labor were not mere encouragement but the sense that God’s favor would ensure fruitfulness. The phrase “the work of our hands” appears multiple times in wisdom and priestly texts as the fruit of wisdom and covenant fidelity. The verse intertwines admiration of God’s beauty with a plea for divine sponsorship of human endeavor, recognizing that human plans are fragile without God’s sustaining power.
Theologically, this verse ties aesthetics and work to the divine. God’s beauty is not purely subjective sentiment but a moral, transformative presence that shapes how people live and work. The request for establishment signals dependence on God for stability, fruitfulness, and protection over one’s labor. It reflects a robust anthropology: humans create, but only with God’s enabling presence can effort become lasting and good. It also affirms God’s sovereignty over history and the importance of blessing over work as a form of worship.
Practically, invite God into your work—design projects, studies, caregiving, or ministry. Begin with prayer for clarity, wisdom, and fruition; ask for God’s beauty to be evident in your character and in the outcomes of your labor. Build routines that honor God in your work: ethical decisions, honest communication, and attention to the needs of others. If you’re overwhelmed by long to-do lists, seek God’s establishment as a source of steadiness rather than sheer productivity. Share the fruits of your labor with others so that God’s beauty is visible beyond your own circle, becoming a blessing to family, colleagues, and neighbors.
Cross-References: Exodus 35:30-35; Psalm 33:11; Proverbs 16:3; Colossians 3:23-24