Psalms 104:35
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)
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The psalm closes with a powerful shift, moving from the harmony of creation to the discordant presence of sin. The call for sinners to be "consumed" isn't just an imprecation, but a profound longing for the world's completion, where God's glorious creation is no longer marred by wickedness. This ultimate restoration sets the stage for an even more fervent "Bless the LORD!"
After marveling at God's incredible creation and how it all reflects His glory, the psalm concludes with a passionate prayer. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for a world free from sin and wickedness, not for personal vengeance, but for the ultimate completion of God's perfect design. This ultimate vision of a restored creation leads directly to the joyful cry, "Praise the LORD!"
The psalm opens with a celebration of creation's grand design. But how does the psalmist end, and why?
Psalm 104 unfolds as a breathtaking hymn to God's creative power and sustaining presence in the natural world. It marvels at the intricate systems, the diverse creatures, and the sheer beauty of the earth, all reflecting the Creator's glory.
Yet, as the psalm concludes, a stark note enters: the desire for sinners and the wicked to be removed. This isn't a random outburst but a crucial theological point. The harmony and perfection of God's creation are fundamentally marred by sin. For the world to truly reflect its Maker and for its intended purpose to be realized, the discordant element—sin and those who obstinately embrace it—must be dealt with. It’s about restoring the intended order and allowing creation’s praise to be unhindered.
This psalm contains a famous word for the very first time in Scripture. What does its appearance signify?
Psalm 104:35 marks the inaugural use of the word 'Hallelujah' (Praise the LORD) in the book of Psalms. It's no accident that this powerful acclamation appears precisely at the conclusion of a psalm that has celebrated God's magnificent creation and ended with a plea for the removal of wickedness.
'Hallelujah' is more than just an expression of joy; it's a declaration of God's supreme worthiness, especially in light of His judgments and His ultimate plan for redemption. Its placement here links the praise of God not only to His creative acts but also to His righteous governance and His decisive action against evil. It anticipates a future where God's praise will be universal and unhindered by sin.
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.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 104:35, linking the ultimate destruction of wickedness with the exclamation 'Hallelujah!' (Praise the LORD!).
Romans 6:23This verse illuminates the consequence of sin mentioned in Psalm 104:35, stating that 'the wages of sin is death,' which is the ultimate consumption of the sinner.
2 Thessalonians 1:9It explains the nature of the sinners' 'consumption' by describing their punishment as 'destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,' a concept that aligns with the psalmist's prayer for the wicked to be no more.
Psalm 37:38This passage offers a parallel thought, stating that 'transgressors shall be cut off together; the end of the wicked shall be destruction,' reinforcing the psalmist's fervent wish for the eradication of evil.
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 psalm closes with a powerful shift, moving from the harmony of creation to the discordant presence of sin. The call for sinners to be "consumed" isn't just an imprecation, but a profound longing for the world's completion, where God's glorious creation is no longer marred by wickedness. This ultimate restoration sets the stage for an even more fervent "Bless the LORD!"
After marveling at God's incredible creation and how it all reflects His glory, the psalm concludes with a passionate prayer. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for a world free from sin and wickedness, not for personal vengeance, but for the ultimate completion of God's perfect design. This ultimate vision of a restored creation leads directly to the joyful cry, "Praise the LORD!"
After marveling at God's incredible creation and how it all reflects His glory, the psalm concludes with a passionate prayer. The psalmist expresses a deep longing for a world free from sin and wickedness, not for personal vengeance, but for the ultimate completion of God's perfect design. This ultimate vision of a restored creation leads directly to the joyful cry, "Praise the LORD!"
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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.
"Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!" — The psalm closes with a powerful shift, moving from the harmony of creation to the discordant presence of sin. The call for sinners to be "consumed" isn't just an imprecation, but a profound longing…
