What are God's works of providence?
God's works of providence are, his most holy1, wise2, and powerful3 preserving4 and governing5 all his creatures, and all their actions6.
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Ps. 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
2 Ps. 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
3 Heb. 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 Neh. 9:6
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
5 Eph. 1:19-22
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph. 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph. 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
6 Ps. 36:6; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30
Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Larger Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
V.1 God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, …
God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.
→ V.1 · Of ProvidenceV.2 Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass …
Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly, yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
→ V.2 · Of ProvidenceV.3 God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against …
God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at his pleasure.
→ V.3 · Of ProvidenceV.4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his providence that …
The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in his providence that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men, and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to his own holy ends; yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God; who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin.
→ V.4 · Of ProvidenceV.5 The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold …
The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they be humbled; and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support unto himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.
→ V.5 · Of ProvidenceV.6 As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sins, doth blind …
As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous judge, for former sins, doth blind and harden, from them he not only withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings and wrought upon in their hearts, but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan; whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others.
→ V.6 · Of ProvidenceV.7 As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, …
As the providence of God doth, in general, reach to all creatures, so, after a most special manner, it taketh care of his Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.
→ V.7 · Of ProvidenceIn the Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.18 What are God's works of providence?
God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory.
→ Open Q.18Q.19 What is God's providence towards the angels?
God by his providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice.
→ Open Q.19