Psalms 34:16

KJV

The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

The face {H6440} of the LORD {H3068} is against them that do {H6213} evil {H7451}, to cut off {H3772} the remembrance {H2143} of them from the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the face of ADONAI opposes those who do evil, to cut off all memory of them from the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

American Standard Version

The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 34:16 powerfully declares God's active and unwavering opposition to those who practice wickedness, promising a definitive and complete eradication of their legacy and influence from the earth. This verse serves as a stark warning to the unrighteous, emphasizing the futility of their actions in the face of divine justice, while simultaneously offering reassurance to the righteous that God is actively engaged in upholding His moral order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 34 is a wisdom psalm, an acrostic poem (though imperfectly so in the Masoretic Text) attributed to David. It is often paired with Psalm 33, both celebrating God's sovereignty and care. Verse 16 stands in sharp **antithesis** to the preceding verse, [Psalm 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalm 34:15 - The Lord's Eyes on the Righteous"). While [Psalm 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalm 34:15 - The Lord's Eyes and Ears") states, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry," verse 16 presents the contrasting reality for the wicked: His "face" is against them." This immediate juxtaposition highlights God's differential engagement with humanity based on their moral standing, underscoring His righteous character and commitment to justice. The psalm as a whole encourages the "fear of the LORD" as the foundation for a blessed life, contrasting the ultimate destinies of the righteous and the wicked.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription attributes Psalm 34 to David, composed "when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed" (referencing [1 Samuel 21:10-15](/1_samuel/21-10 "1 Samuel 21:10-15 - David's Escape from Achish")). This historical backdrop suggests a psalm born out of a period of intense distress and miraculous deliverance. David, a man after God's own heart, experienced God's watchful care and intervention. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of "remembrance" (Hebrew: _zeker_) was profoundly significant. To have one's name or legacy "cut off" was the ultimate disgrace and curse, signifying complete annihilation of one's impact, honor, and even existence in the collective memory, often more feared than physical death itself. Conversely, a good name and enduring legacy were highly prized. This cultural understanding amplifies the severity of the judgment pronounced in [Psalm 34:16](/psalms/34-16 "Psalm 34:16 - God's Judgment Against the Wicked").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Justice**, portraying God not as a passive observer but as an active, righteous Judge who opposes evil and ensures consequences for wickedness. This aligns with the consistent biblical portrayal of God's holy character, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Justice"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Consequences of Wickedness**, specifically the eradication of the wicked's legacy. This theme is echoed throughout wisdom literature, such as in [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Just vs. The Wicked"), which states, "The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot." Lastly, it highlights **God's Sovereignty and Omniscience**, demonstrating His ultimate authority over human destinies and His perfect awareness of all actions, both righteous and evil. The Lord's "face" being "against" them implies a direct, personal, and intentional divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Face (Hebrew, _pā·nîm_):** This term is multifaceted in Hebrew, often denoting presence, countenance, or appearance. While it can signify favor and blessing (e.g., [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")), here, when described as "against" someone, it conveys active opposition, displeasure, and a posture of judgment. It is not merely God's disapproval, but His direct, purposeful, and formidable engagement in antagonism. This anthropomorphism emphasizes God's personal involvement in dealing with evil.
* **Against (Hebrew, _be_):** The preposition _be_ can have various meanings ("in," "with," "by"), but in this context, when paired with "face" and the action of "cutting off," it clearly denotes hostility, opposition, and a confrontational stance. It signifies God's direct and active alignment in opposition to the wicked, rather than passive observation or mere disapproval.
* **Cut off the remembrance (Hebrew, _kā·rat hazzê·ḵer_):** The verb _kā·rat_ means "to cut off," "to destroy," or "to make a covenant" (by cutting). Here, it implies complete eradication or termination. _Zê·ḵer_ refers to "remembrance," "memory," "name," or "legacy." To "cut off the remembrance" means to erase their name, influence, and very existence from the earth and from human memory, signifying the ultimate disgrace and the utter futility of a life lived in rebellion against God. It implies that their deeds and identity will not endure, but will vanish into oblivion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil":** This clause establishes God's direct and active posture of judgment. "The face of the LORD" signifies His personal, intentional presence and disposition. When this "face" is "against" someone, it indicates a formidable, hostile, and condemning stance. God is not indifferent to wickedness; He is actively and personally opposed to those who practice evil, signifying His righteous character and His commitment to moral order.
* **"to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth":** This second clause specifies the consequence of God's opposition: the complete eradication of the wicked's legacy. "To cut off" implies a definitive and total destruction, while "remembrance" refers to their name, reputation, influence, and any lasting impact. This is more than just physical death; it speaks to the obliteration of their identity and accomplishments from human memory and perhaps from God's record. It underscores the ultimate futility and disgrace of a life lived in wickedness, as their very existence will be rendered meaningless and forgotten.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 34:16 employs several potent **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, as the verse stands in stark contrast to the preceding [Psalm 34:15](/psalms/34-15 "Psalm 34:15 - The Lord's Eyes and Ears"), which describes God's attentiveness to the righteous. This juxtaposition powerfully highlights God's dual response based on human conduct. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in "The face of the LORD," attributing a human characteristic (a face) to God to convey His direct and personal engagement, in this case, His active opposition and judgment. This is a form of **Metonymy**, where "face" represents the entire person or active presence of God. The phrase "to cut off the remembrance" serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for complete annihilation of legacy, and can also be seen as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the severity and totality of the divine judgment, implying not just human forgetting but divine erasure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 34:16 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution and the ultimate triumph of God's justice. It asserts that God is not merely a benevolent creator but also a righteous judge who actively intervenes in human affairs to uphold His moral order. This verse assures believers that while evil may seem to prosper temporarily, God's active opposition ensures that the wicked will ultimately face consequences that extend beyond their earthly lives, impacting their very legacy. It underscores the futility of a life lived in defiance of God, contrasting it with the enduring memory and blessing promised to the righteous. This divine commitment to justice provides both a solemn warning to the unrepentant and a deep comfort to those who suffer under the oppression of the wicked.

* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Just vs. The Wicked")
* [Psalm 9:5-6](/psalms/9-5 "Psalm 9:5-6 - God Rebukes the Nations")
* [Malachi 4:1](/malachi/4-1 "Malachi 4:1 - The Day of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 34:16 serves as a profound reminder of God's active involvement in the moral fabric of the world. For those who are tempted to stray into paths of wickedness, it stands as a solemn warning that their actions do not go unnoticed by the Almighty. The promise to "cut off the remembrance" is a powerful deterrent, highlighting that true lasting impact and honor come only from living in alignment with God's will. A life built on evil, no matter how seemingly successful or influential in the short term, is ultimately destined for oblivion and disgrace in the divine reckoning. Conversely, for the righteous, this verse offers immense comfort and vindication. In a world where injustice often seems to prevail and the wicked appear to prosper, this passage assures us that God sees, God acts, and God will ultimately set all things right. It encourages perseverance in righteousness, knowing that our "remembrance" in God's eyes is eternal, and our labor in the Lord is never in vain. It calls us to live lives that leave a legacy of godliness, knowing that such a legacy is the only one that truly endures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between God's "eyes" on the righteous (v. 15) and His "face" against the wicked (v. 16) deepen your understanding of His character?**
* **In what ways might the "cutting off of remembrance" be a more severe judgment than mere physical death in ancient and modern contexts?**
* **How does this verse challenge or affirm your perspective on divine justice in the face of persistent evil in the world today?**
* **What kind of "remembrance" or legacy are you striving to build, and how does this verse influence your priorities?**

### FAQ
**Does "cut off the remembrance" mean God literally forgets people?**

Answer: No, it does not mean God literally forgets people in the sense of losing knowledge of them. God is omniscient and knows all things, past, present, and future, as seen in [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience"). Instead, "cutting off the remembrance" refers to the eradication of their name, influence, and legacy from the earth and from any honorable or lasting record. In ancient cultures, to be remembered was to have one's life and deeds validated and perpetuated; to be forgotten or to have one's name erased was the ultimate disgrace and a sign of complete futility. It signifies that the wicked will have no enduring positive impact, no lasting honor, and their deeds will not be celebrated or perpetuated. Their very existence, in terms of its significance and impact, will vanish. This is in stark contrast to the righteous, whose memory is blessed and endures, as indicated in [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Just").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 34:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "face of the LORD" being "against them that do evil" is perfectly demonstrated in Christ's work on the cross. While God's wrath against sin was poured out, it was upon His own Son, who became sin for us, as described in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). In doing so, Jesus bore the full weight of divine judgment, effectively "cutting off" the power and dominion of evil for those who believe. The ultimate "remembrance" that is cut off is not just that of individual wicked persons, but the very power of sin and death itself, which Christ decisively defeated through His resurrection ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Furthermore, while the wicked's name perishes, those who are "in Christ" receive an eternal name and an imperishable inheritance ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). Jesus, as the righteous judge, will return to execute final judgment, ensuring that every evil deed is brought to light and every unrepentant heart faces the full force of God's opposition, resulting in the eternal "cutting off" of their presence from God's glory ([2 Thessalonians 1:8-9](/2_thessalonians/1-8 "2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 - Eternal Destruction")). Thus, Christ is both the one who endures the "face of the Lord" against sin and the one who ultimately "cuts off the remembrance" of all evil, securing an eternal remembrance for His redeemed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 10:7

¶ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Jeremiah 44:11

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.

Jeremiah 17:13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, [and] they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Leviticus 17:10

¶ And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

Job 18:17

His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

Amos 9:4

And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

Psalms 10:16

The LORD [is] King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.