Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse concludes with a powerful contrast: while creation praises God, the psalmist prays for the removal of human sin that mars that harmony. This isn't just a wish for punishment, but a longing for creation's perfection, where humanity finally joins the chorus of praise without the discordant note of wickedness.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
After celebrating God's majestic power and provision in creation, the psalm concludes with a prayer for the removal of sin and the wicked. This isn't a harsh judgment, but a longing for the world to be fully restored to its intended harmony. The psalm then turns inward, with the psalmist resolving to praise God, urging his own soul and others to join in this ultimate expression of worship, the "Hallelujah."
Why does this psalm, so full of awe for creation's beauty, end with such a stark call for judgment?
The psalmist concludes Psalm 104 not just with praise, but with a prayer for the complete removal of sinners and the wicked from the earth. This isn't a petty wish, but a deep recognition that sin and wickedness are the ultimate 'jarring notes' in God's perfect creation.
God's Perfect Harmony
Creation itself testifies to God's glory, wisdom, and power. However, sin introduces disharmony. The psalmist sees that for the praise of creation to be complete and true, the element that mars God's work must be eliminated.
A Prayer for Restoration
This isn't just an imprecation; it's a prayer for the restoration of God's intended order. It looks forward to a time when the earth will fully reflect His goodness, free from the corruption that sin brings. The goal is not simply destruction, but the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
This verse marks a significant first in the Psalter. What's the big deal about this word?
The phrase 'Praise the LORD!' (Hallelujah) makes its very first appearance in the book of Psalms right here at the end of chapter 104. This is no accident.
Linked to Judgment
This initial use of Hallelujah is directly tied to the prayer for the judgment and consumption of the wicked. It suggests that praise to God isn't just for His blessings, but also for His righteous judgments, especially when those judgments bring an end to evil.
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A Prophetic Echo
This connection between praise and the end of wickedness is echoed later in Scripture. The final use of Hallelujah in the Bible, in Revelation 19, also occurs in the context of God's judgment against evil, specifically the destruction of Babylon. This shows a consistent theological theme: God's justice is a cause for praise.
Amidst the grand pronouncements of judgment, the psalmist turns inward. What is the significance of this personal turn?
The heart of this verse lies in the profound shift from a universal prayer for judgment to a deeply personal declaration of devotion. 'Bless the LORD, O my soul!' is the pivotal moment.
From Earth to Soul
After observing the vastness of creation and praying for its perfect restoration, the psalmist doesn't just stop there. He calls his own soul to the task of blessing God. This highlights that true worship is not just an external event or a societal outcome, but an internal, volitional act.
An Enduring Commitment
This call to his soul is a reaffirmation of his commitment to God, regardless of the world's state. Even as he prays for the eradication of sin, his primary focus remains on praising the God who orchestrates all things, including judgment and eventual restoration. It's a reminder that our highest calling is to bless the Lord, come what may.
Understand the original words
chatta' · Hebrew Noun
Individuals who miss the mark of God's moral standard, acting in rebellion or wandering from the path of righteousness; they are the objects of God's coming judgment.
rasha' · Hebrew Noun
Those who act against God's law, characterized by injustice, rebellion, and hostility toward God's character; they stand in direct opposition to the righteous.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
The inner self, the seat of emotions, life force, and the essential personhood of a human being. It refers to the core of one's being that responds to God in worship.
barak · Hebrew Verb
A formal act of worship, blessing, or bowing down to God. It involves recognizing and declaring God's goodness, majesty, and worthiness.
halelu-Yah · Hebrew Interjection
An exclamatory command or invitation to worship, meaning "Praise Yah" (short for Yahweh). It is a universal call for all creation to acknowledge God's majesty and acts.
This passage echoes Psalm 104:35 by describing a great heavenly chorus of 'Hallelujah!' erupting specifically after the judgment and destruction of 'the great prostitute' (Babylon), reinforcing the connection between God's judgment on wickedness and His people's praise.
2 Thessalonians 2:8This verse speaks of the ultimate destruction of the 'lawless one' by the Lord's appearing. This aligns with the psalmist's cry for the wicked to be consumed, highlighting the biblical certainty of evil's final demise.
Psalm 7:11-13Similar to Psalm 104:35, this psalm directly calls for the downfall of the wicked and describes God's preparation of instruments of judgment. It shows the psalmist's conviction that God is a righteous judge who will deal with evil.
Romans 16:20Paul reassures the believers in Rome that 'the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.' This echoes the psalmist's sentiment in Psalm 104:35, pointing to the ultimate triumph of God's justice over all evil.
Psalm 37:38This verse directly states that 'transgressors shall be completely destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off,' mirroring the sentiment of Psalm 104:35 and emphasizing God's ultimate justice against those who oppose Him.
clarkePsalms 104:35: "Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD."
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more - Or, He shall consume the wicked and ungodly, till no more of them be found. Then the wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations that forget God. No wonder, with these prospects before his eyes, he cries out, "Bless Jehovah, O my soul! Hallelujah!" And ye that hea…
bensonPsalms 104:35: "Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD."
Psalm 104:35 . Let the sinners be consumed, &c. — This speaks terror to the wicked. As if he had said, As for those ungodly creatures who do not regard the works of the Lord, nor give him the glory due to his name, but dishonour him, and abuse his creatures, and thereby provoke God to destroy the earth, and the men and things which are upon it, let th…
The verse concludes with a powerful contrast: while creation praises God, the psalmist prays for the removal of human sin that mars that harmony. This isn't just a wish for punishment, but a longing for creation's perfection, where humanity finally joins the chorus of praise without the discordant note of wickedness.
After celebrating God's majestic power and provision in creation, the psalm concludes with a prayer for the removal of sin and the wicked. This isn't a harsh judgment, but a longing for the world to be fully restored to its intended harmony. The psalm then turns inward, with the psalmist resolving to praise God, urging his own soul and others to join in this ultimate expression of worship, the "Hallelujah."
After celebrating God's majestic power and provision in creation, the psalm concludes with a prayer for the removal of sin and the wicked. This isn't a harsh judgment, but a longing for the world to be fully restored to its intended harmony. The psalm then turns inward, with the psalmist resolving to praise God, urging his own soul and others to join in this ultimate expression of worship, the "Hallelujah."
"Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!" — The verse concludes with a powerful contrast: while creation praises God, the psalmist prays for the removal of human sin that mars that harmony. This isn't just a wish for punishment, but a longing…
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Last reviewed October 2026