Psalms 104:35 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist calls for the removal of sinners and the wicked, then returns to blessing and praising God.
The Context of Psalms 104:35
The psalm concludes by calling for justice against those who oppose creation's order, then reiterates the call to universal praise.
What Does Psalms 104:35 Mean?
The sudden introduction of sinners and the wicked, absent from the psalm until this point, marks a shift in tone. The psalmist's vision of a creation filled with God's provision and order includes an implicit judgment: such order requires the removal of those who disrupt it. The wicked are presented as contrary to creation's good ordering. Their consumption is not presented with hostility but as necessary for creation's restoration.
The final lines return to the opening invocation, calling the soul to bless the LORD and inviting all ('Praise ye the LORD') to join in praise. The circular structure—beginning and ending with the same call to bless—emphasizes that praise frames the entire meditation. The removal of wickedness is presented as enabling and supporting genuine praise, restoration of creation's intended condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 104:35
What does Psalms 104:35 mean?
The psalmist calls for the removal of sinners and the wicked, then returns to blessing and praising God.
What is the context of Psalms 104:35?
The psalm concludes by calling for justice against those who oppose creation's order, then reiterates the call to universal praise.