God’s Word Translation
Isaiah 49:4
4But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing. I have used my strength, but I didn’t accomplish anything. Yet, certainly my case is in the Lord’s hands, and my reward is with my God.”
Isaiah 49:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
- New International Version (NIV)But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, And my work with my God.’ ”
Context of Isaiah 49:4
2He made my tongue like a sharp sword and hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver. 3He said to me, “You are my servant Israel. I will display my glory through you.” But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing. I have used my strength, but I didn’t accomplish anything. Yet, certainly my case is in the Lord’s hands, and my reward is with my God.” 5The Lord formed me in the womb to be his servant in order to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him. (The Lord honors me, and my God has become my strength.) 6Now, the Lord says, “You are not just my servant who restores the tribes of Jacob and brings back those in Israel whom I have preserved. I have also made you a light for the nations so that you would save people all over the world.”
Read all of Isaiah 49Isaiah 49:4 word by word
וַאֲנִ֤י אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ לְרִ֣יק יָגַ֔עְתִּי לְתֹ֥הוּ וְהֶ֖בֶל כֹּחִ֣י כִלֵּ֑יתִי אָכֵן֙ מִשְׁפָּטִ֣י אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וּפְעֻלָּתִ֖י אֶת־אֱלֹהָֽי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then I saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- I have labouredיָגֵעַyâga‛ · be weary/toilH3021
- in vainרִיקrîyq · vainH7385
- I have spentכָּלָהkâlâh · to end: expendH3615
- my strengthכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
- for noughtתֹּ֫הוּtôhû · formlessnessH8414
- and in vainהֶ֫בֶלhebel hăbêl · vanityH1892
- surelyאָכֵן'âkên · surelyH403
- my judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justiceH4941
- with the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- and my workפְּעֻלָּהpe‛ûllâh · wagesH6468
- with my Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
Cross-references for Isaiah 49:4
- Isaiah 65:2I stretched out my hands all day long to stubborn people. They chose to go the wrong direction. They followed their own plans.
- Ezekiel 3:19But suppose you warn the wicked people, and they don’t turn from their wicked ways. Then they will die because of their sin, but you will save yourself.
- Matthew 17:17Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and corrupt generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me!”
- Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing!
- John 1:11He went to his own people, and his own people didn’t accept him.
- Romans 10:21Then Isaiah said about Israel, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to disobedient and rebellious people.”
- Galatians 4:11I’m afraid for you. Maybe the hard work I spent on you has been wasted.
- Leviticus 26:20You will work hard for nothing because your land will produce no crops and the trees will produce no fruit.
- 2 Corinthians 12:15I will be very glad to spend whatever I have. I’ll even give myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?
- Isaiah 53:10Yet, it was the Lord’s will to crush him with suffering. When the Lord has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings, he will see his descendants for many days. The will of the Lord will succeed through him.
- Psalms 22:22I will tell my people about your name. I will praise you within the congregation.
- Luke 24:26Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
- John 17:4On earth I have given you glory by finishing the work you gave me to do.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying.
- Philippians 2:9This is why God has given him an exceptional honor— the name honored above all other names—
- Hebrews 12:2We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.
Commentaries on Isaiah 49:4
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Then I said - I the Messiah. In the previous verses he speaks of his appointment to the office of Messiah, and of his dignity. The design here is to prepare the way for the announcement of the fact that he would make known his gospel to the pagan, and would be for a light to the Gentiles. For this purpose he speaks of his labors among his own countrymen; he laments the little success which attended his work at the commencement, but consoles himself with…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4I have labored in vain: Even though people stubbornly refuse his message, the servant will still reach out to them. My vindication is with the LORD: Despite discouragement and suffering, the servant will continue to perform his duty faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. God promised to reward the servant’s faithfulness (see also Isaiah 40:10; 50:8).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. I--Messiah. in vain--comparatively in the case of the greater number of His own countrymen. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (Is 53:1-3; Lu 19:14; Joh 1:11; 7:5). Only a hundred twenty disciples met after His personal ministry was ended (Ac 1:15). yet ... my judgment ... with the Lord--Ultimately, God will do justice to My cause, and reward (Margin for "work," compare Is 40:10; 62:11) My labors and sufferings. He was never…Read the comment
Topics related to Isaiah 49:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Isaiah 49
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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