Psalms 104:35

Commentary on Psalms 104:35 KJV

Psalms 104:35 serves as a powerful conclusion to a psalm that magnificently extols God's glory as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. This verse, though seemingly abrupt in its two distinct parts, beautifully encapsulates themes of divine justice and unceasing worship.

Context

Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise to God, celebrating His majesty and wisdom evident in the natural world. It describes the creation of the heavens, earth, seas, and all living creatures, highlighting God's provision and sovereignty over every aspect of life. The psalmist marvels at how God clothes Himself with light, spreads out the heavens, sets the earth on its foundations, and provides for all living things, from the cedars of Lebanon to the wild goats on the rocks. Amidst this grand panorama of divine order and sustenance, verse 35 introduces a stark contrast: the psalmist's desire for the removal of evil, immediately followed by a renewed, fervent call to praise God. This juxtaposition suggests that the perfection of God's creation and His benevolent rule are ultimately incompatible with persistent wickedness.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice and the Removal of Evil: The opening plea, "Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more," reflects a deep longing for righteousness to prevail. It is an imprecatory statement, not born of personal vengeance, but a desire for God's ultimate justice to be realized, where evil and those who persistently reject God are removed from His perfect creation. This aligns with a broader biblical hope for a world free from sin and suffering, where God's will is fully established. The temporary nature of the wicked is a recurring theme in the Psalms; Psalm 37:10 states, "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be."
• Unceasing Worship and Praise: The immediate pivot to "Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD," underscores the psalmist's primary focus: the worship of God. Even in the face of human wickedness, the ultimate response is to turn to God in adoration. This personal commitment, "Bless thou the LORD, O my soul," echoes the opening of Psalm 103:1, emphasizing a heartfelt, internal act of worship. The concluding "Praise ye the LORD" is the famous Hebrew phrase, Hallelujah (or Halleluyah), a universal call to praise Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion here marks the first appearance of this powerful exclamation in the Psalter, setting a precedent for its frequent use in later psalms.
• God's Sovereignty and Ultimate Triumph: The verse implicitly affirms God's ultimate control over all things, including the fate of the wicked and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. The psalmist trusts that God will, in His time and way, bring an end to all that opposes His perfect order, leading to a world where praise to Him can be unhindered.

Linguistic Insights

• "Consumed" (Hebrew: tamam): This word means to be finished, completed, or brought to an end. It suggests a thorough and definitive removal, not merely a temporary setback.
• "Bless thou the LORD, O my soul" (Hebrew: barak Yahweh nafshi): The verb barak means "to kneel," "to praise," or "to adore." It signifies a deep, reverential acknowledgment of God's goodness and majesty springing from the innermost being (the "soul," nafshi).
• "Praise ye the LORD" (Hebrew: Hallelujah): This iconic phrase is a compound of Hallelu (an imperative plural of halal, "to praise") and Yah (a shortened form of Yahweh, God's personal name). It is a command and an invitation for all to praise the Lord. Its placement at the very end of Psalm 104 is significant, as it becomes a recurring refrain in the final psalms, culminating in Psalm 150:6, which ends the entire book of Psalms with this powerful call to praise.

Practical Application

Psalms 104:35 reminds believers of several truths. First, it acknowledges the reality of evil in the world but expresses a longing for God's ultimate justice to prevail. This isn't a call for personal retaliation but a prayer for the triumph of God's righteous order. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it redirects our focus from the problem of evil to the absolute supremacy and worthiness of God. No matter the circumstances, the primary response of the believer's soul should be to bless and praise the Lord. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart of worship that transcends earthly concerns, trusting that God's plan for justice and restoration will ultimately be fulfilled, leading to a world where His praise truly fills the earth.