It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
It's pointless for you to get up early and stay up late, working so hard that you eat your meals in anxiety and stress. God gives his beloved ones peaceful rest.
This verse is saying that anxious, exhausting work is futile because God provides for those he loves through peaceful rest rather than frantic effort.
📚 Historical Context
This psalm is attributed to Solomon and was likely written during Israel's period of prosperity and temple building. The people were experiencing both the blessings of God's provision and the temptation to rely on their own intense labor rather than trusting in God's care. It reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on finding balance between human effort and divine dependence.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.