The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a bold affirmation that God, who initiates good things in our lives, will also see them through to completion. It highlights that God views His work in us – both salvation and the everyday unfolding of His purposes – as "works of His hands," something He won't abandon unfinished.
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, having just reflected on God's supreme majesty and His kindness to the humble, now shifts to a personal plea. He expresses deep confidence that God will complete the work He has started in him, whether it be his deliverance, his reign, or his spiritual well-being. This confident prayer is rooted in the eternal nature of God's love, urging God not to abandon His own creation and the good work He has begun.
Ever feel like you're still a work in progress? The Bible says God is committed to finishing what He started in you.
This verse is a powerful declaration of trust, even amidst life's challenges. The psalmist is confident that 'The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.'
What does 'fulfill his purpose' mean?
It's about completion. God isn't just starting things; He intends to bring them to a successful end. Think of it like an incredible symphony. God has a grand design, a beautiful melody for your life. He won't stop composing halfway through. He's committed to bringing it to its full, glorious conclusion.
This applies to everything God initiates: His promises to you, the good works He's doing in your heart, and even the broader purposes He has for His people. He has begun a work, and His promise is to see it through.
What fuels God's commitment to finish what He starts? It's His never-ending, unshakeable love for you.
The psalmist links God's purposeful completion to His enduring mercy: 'your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.' This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's the very foundation of God's faithfulness.
Love That Never Quits
This 'steadfast love' is God's active, loyal commitment to His people. It's a love that isn't based on our performance but on His unchanging character. Because His love is eternal and unwavering, we can trust that He won't abandon the work He's begun in us.
Ask a follow-up
Think of it this way: God's desire to complete His purpose for you isn't a chore; it's an overflow of His deep, abiding love that will never run out. This eternal love is the security that He will not forsake His creation, His promises, or the good work of salvation He has initiated.
This isn't just a statement of faith; it's a prayer. What does it reveal about our role and God's care?
The final line, 'Do not forsake the work of your hands,' is a profound prayer. It acknowledges that while God is sovereign and faithful, He also invites us into partnership through prayer.
God's Creation, Our Plea
Understand the original words
chesed · Hebrew Noun
A multifaceted Hebrew term signifying covenant loyalty, loving-kindness, mercy, and devotion. It represents God's faithful commitment to His people despite their unworthiness.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To leave behind, abandon, or desert. It is the cry of the faithful to God, asking that He remain present and supportive, particularly in times of spiritual or physical distress.
This psalm's prayer for completion and faithfulness resonates across Israel's history, from David's personal reign to the collective struggles of rebuilding the nation after exile, reminding us that God's purpose for us is always greater than our present circumstances.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King of Israel
Psalm 138 is attributed to David, reflecting on God's faithfulness during his reign. This period saw both great triumphs and significant challenges, including rebellions and personal struggles.
c. 975 BC
Solomon Succeeds David
Upon David's death, his son Solomon became king, continuing the dynasty and God's covenant promises. The psalmist's prayer for completion and steadfastness echoes the ongoing needs of the kingdom.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian conquest led to the exile of the northern tribes. This event would have cast a long shadow, highlighting the fragility of kingdoms and the enduring need for God's faithfulness.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of the southern kingdom, marked a profound crisis. The psalmist's plea to God not to forsake His works would have resonated deeply with those in despair.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
The decree allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple signaled a new beginning. The prayer for completion and steadfast love remained relevant as they faced the challenges of restoration.
c. 440 BC
Rebuilding Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt amidst fierce opposition. The verse's plea not to forsake the work of God's hands connects to the perseverance required in such arduous tasks.
This passage echoes the psalmist's confidence, stating that God 'who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.' It directly parallels the idea that God will finish what He starts in us.
Isaiah 45:11This verse highlights God's sovereignty over His creation and His purposes, saying 'Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel and its Maker: “Ask me of things to come, concerning my children, and concerning the work of my hands command me.”' This reinforces the notion that God is the divine craftsman who will not abandon His handiwork.
Nehemiah 6:3In a moment of intense pressure, Nehemiah declares to his adversaries, 'I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?' This shows a human parallel to the psalmist's plea, understanding the importance of not forsaking a God-given task.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' It offers a broader perspective on how God fulfills His purposes for us, even through difficult circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:24The faithful God promises to 'make you stand firm to the end,' aligning with the plea in Psalm 138:8 not to be forsaken. It speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His people and His ongoing work in them.
ellicottPsalms 138:8: "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
(8) Perfect that which concerneth me. —Or, as in the analogous phrase ( Psalm 57:2 ), will complete for me — i.e., either “ all my undertakings,” or, as in Philippians 1:6 , “what he has begun in and for me.” Forsake not.—Better, the works of Thine hands; do not leave them unfinished. (See for the same verb Nehemiah 6:3; Proverbs 4:13 : “let her not go.…
clarkePsalms 138:8: "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
The Lord will perfect - Whatever is farther necessary to be done, he will do it. Forsake not the works of thine own hands - My body - my soul; thy work begun in my soul; thy work in behalf of Israel; thy work in the evangelization of the world; thy work in the salvation of mankind. Thou wilt not forsake these.
This verse isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a bold affirmation that God, who initiates good things in our lives, will also see them through to completion. It highlights that God views His work in us – both salvation and the everyday unfolding of His purposes – as "works of His hands," something He won't abandon unfinished.
The psalmist, having just reflected on God's supreme majesty and His kindness to the humble, now shifts to a personal plea. He expresses deep confidence that God will complete the work He has started in him, whether it be his deliverance, his reign, or his spiritual well-being. This confident prayer is rooted in the eternal nature of God's love, urging God not to abandon His own creation and the good work He has begun.
The psalmist, having just reflected on God's supreme majesty and His kindness to the humble, now shifts to a personal plea. He expresses deep confidence that God will complete the work He has started in him, whether it be his deliverance, his reign, or his spiritual well-being. This confident prayer is rooted in the eternal nature of God's love, urging God not to abandon His own creation and the good work He has begun.
"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." — This verse isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a bold affirmation that God, who initiates good things in our lives, will also see them through to completion. It highlights that God views His work in us –…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026