King James Version

What Does Psalms 104:31 Mean?

Psalms 104:31 in the King James Version says “The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. endure: Heb. be” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 104 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. endure: Heb. be”

Psalms 104:31 · KJV

Context

29

Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

30

Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

31

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. endure: Heb. be

32

He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

33

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Read Psalms 104 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. This verse transitions from describing God's works to declaring their purpose and His response to them. "The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever" (y'hi khvod Yahweh l'olam, יְהִי כְבוֹד־יְהוָה לְעוֹלָם) is both declaration and prayer. Kavod (כָּבוֹד) means glory, weight, or significance—God's manifest presence and revealed character. L'olam (לְעוֹלָם) means forever, eternally, perpetually.

God's glory enduring forever means His revealed character—His power, wisdom, goodness, and majesty displayed in creation—will never be eclipsed or forgotten. Even when current creation is renewed (Revelation 21:1), God's glory continues, perhaps more fully revealed than in the present cosmos. The purpose of creation is not merely creaturely pleasure but the display of divine glory (Isaiah 43:7).

"The LORD shall rejoice in his works" (yismach Yahweh b'ma'asav, יִשְׂמַח יְהוָה בְּמַעֲשָׂיו) portrays God taking pleasure in what He has made. Samach (שָׂמַח) means to rejoice, be glad, or delight. This anthropomorphic language attributes joy to God—He isn't a distant, dispassionate deity but delights in His creation like an artist enjoying a completed masterpiece or a parent proud of their children.

This verse counters both dualism (which views material creation as evil) and deism (which views God as uninvolved after creating). God delights in the physical world He made, vindicating the biblical affirmation that creation was 'very good' (Genesis 1:31). His ongoing joy in creation implies continued involvement, not abandonment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The concept of God rejoicing in creation contrasts with ancient Near Eastern mythology, where gods often viewed humanity as burden or nuisance. The Babylonian Atrahasis epic depicts gods creating humans to do menial labor because divine work had become burdensome. In Psalm 104, God delights in creation—it brings Him pleasure, not trouble.

For Israel, God's rejoicing in His works provided assurance of His ongoing care. Despite struggles, suffering, or exile, creation's continuation testified to God's persistent delight and involvement. The regular patterns of nature—seasons, rainfall, harvests—demonstrated divine faithfulness and care.

Jesus taught that the Father cares for birds and flowers (Matthew 6:26-30, 10:29-31), extrapolating from God's delight in creation to His care for human beings made in His image. If God feeds ravens and clothes grass, how much more will He provide for His children? This argument depends on God's joy in His works—He doesn't view creation as tiresome obligation but delightful expression of creative love.

The doctrine of creation's goodness and God's delight in it has practical implications. It validates material existence, physical pleasures (within moral bounds), scientific study, artistic expression, and environmental care. Because God delights in creation, we should too, engaging it with gratitude, wonder, and responsible stewardship rather than exploitation or indifference.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise that God's glory will endure forever provide hope when facing environmental degradation, cosmic entropy, or personal mortality?
  2. What does it mean that God 'rejoices in his works,' and how should this shape our engagement with nature, science, and stewardship?
  3. How can believers reflect God's joy in creation without falling into nature worship or pantheism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
יְהִ֤י1 of 7
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְב֣וֹד2 of 7

“The glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 7

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְעוֹלָ֑ם4 of 7

“shall endure for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

יִשְׂמַ֖ח5 of 7

“shall rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

יְהוָ֣ה6 of 7

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּמַעֲשָֽׂיו׃7 of 7

“in his works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 104:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 104:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 1:312 Timothy 4:18Jeremiah 32:41Ephesians 3:21Revelation 5:12-13Isaiah 62:5

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Psalms 104 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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