Psalms 104:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Humans go forth to work during the day until evening.
The Context of Psalms 104:23
Humanity's work life is presented as part of the same daily rhythm that governs all creation.
What Does Psalms 104:23 Mean?
Humanity's place in creation is revealed through work. Humans go forth—actively engaging with the world—and labor. The timing is daylight, the time when work is practical. Labor is presented not as punishment but as the human activity that parallels the creatures' hunting and gathering. Work is part of how humans participate in and sustain themselves within God's creation.
The parallel structure with the previous verses reveals that humans, too, follow the day-night cycle but in a different way. While lions hunt at night, humans labor by day. This suggests that the sun's rising and setting structures all creation's activity, human and animal alike, into a comprehensive rhythm governed by God's design.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 104:23
What does Psalms 104:23 mean?
Humans go forth to work during the day until evening.
What is the context of Psalms 104:23?
Humanity's work life is presented as part of the same daily rhythm that governs all creation.