Psalms 104:29
Psalms 104:29 in Multiple Translations
When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.
If your face is veiled, they are troubled; when you take away their breath, they come to an end, and go back to the dust.
When you turn away from them, they're terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to dust.
But if thou hide thy face, they are troubled: if thou take away their breath, they dye and returne to their dust.
Thou hidest Thy face — they are troubled, Thou gatherest their spirit — they expire, And unto their dust they turn back.
You hide your face; they are troubled. You take away their breath; they die and return to the dust.
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
He turned their waters into blood, and destroyed their fish.
But if you refuse to give food to them, they become terrified. And when you cause them to stop breathing, they die; their bodies decay and become soil again.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 104:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 104:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תַּסְתִּ֥יר
פָּנֶי/ךָ֮
יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּ/ן
תֹּסֵ֣ף
ר֭וּחָ/ם
יִגְוָע֑וּ/ן
וְֽ/אֶל
עֲפָרָ֥/ם
יְשׁוּבֽוּ/ן
תַּסְתִּ֥יר
çâthar
H5641
to hide
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
פָּנֶי/ךָ֮
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp | Suff
יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּ/ן
bâhal
H926
to dismay
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
תֹּסֵ֣ף
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
ר֭וּחָ/ם
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs | Suff
יִגְוָע֑וּ/ן
gâvaʻ
H1478
to die
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
וְֽ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Conj | Prep
עֲפָרָ֥/ם
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
N-ms | Suff
יְשׁוּבֽוּ/ן
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 104:29
תַּסְתִּ֥יר
çâthar
H5641
"to hide"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms
This word means to hide or conceal something, like covering it up. It can also mean to keep something secret or hidden from others, as in Psalm 27:5.
Definition: 1) to hide, conceal 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to hide oneself 1a2) to be hidden, be concealed 1b) (Piel) to hide carefully 1c) (Pual) to be hidden carefully, be concealed 1d) (Hiphil) to conceal, hide 1e) (Hithpael) to hide oneself carefully Aramaic equivalent: se.tar (סְתַר "to hide" H5642A)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:14; Psalms 55:13; Psalms 10:11.
פָּנֶי/ךָ֮
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּ/ן
bâhal
H926
"to dismay"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
This verb means to be alarmed or agitated, often suddenly. It's used in the Bible to describe people's reactions to frightening events, like battles or natural disasters. It can also mean to hurry or act hastily.
Definition: 1) to disturb, alarm, terrify, hurry, be disturbed, be anxious, be afraid, be hurried, be nervous 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be disturbed, dismayed, terrified, anxious 1a2) to be in haste, be hasty 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make haste, act hastily, be hurried, be hastened 1b2) to dismay, terrify 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to hasten 1c2) hastened, hastily gained (part.) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to hasten, hurry, make haste 1d2) to dismay, terrify
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex. See also: Genesis 45:3; Psalms 6:4; Psalms 2:5.
תֹּסֵ֣ף
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
ר֭וּחָ/ם
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
יִגְוָע֑וּ/ן
gâvaʻ
H1478
"to die"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to die or expire, like when Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross in Matthew 27:50. It implies a complete stop, like a final breath. It is used in the Bible to describe the end of life.
Definition: 1) to expire, die, perish, give up the ghost, yield up the ghost, be dead, be ready to die 1a) (Qal) to expire, die, be about to die
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: die, be dead, give up the ghost, perish. See also: Genesis 6:17; Job 3:11; Psalms 88:16.
וְֽ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
עֲפָרָ֥/ם
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
N-ms | Suff
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
יְשׁוּבֽוּ/ן
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 104:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 104:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:29
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
- Sermons on Psalms 104:29
Context — How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!
27All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.
28When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
29When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.
30When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth. 31May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 34:14–15 | If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 12:7 | before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. |
| 3 | Psalms 146:4 | When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. |
| 4 | Acts 17:25 | Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. |
| 5 | Psalms 30:7 | O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed. |
| 6 | Psalms 90:3 | You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” |
| 7 | Genesis 3:19 | By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground— because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” |
| 8 | Job 10:9 | Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust? |
| 9 | Job 34:29 | But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation, |
| 10 | Job 13:24 | Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? |
Psalms 104:29 Summary
This verse reminds us that God is the one who gives us life and breath, and when He withdraws it, we return to dust. It's a sobering reminder of our dependence on Him, as seen in Acts 17:28, where it says 'in Him we live and move and have our being.' When God hides His face, it's a call to seek Him and remember our place in creation, and to trust in His goodness and love, as stated in Psalms 100:5. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and control, we can live with humility and gratitude, knowing that our lives are in His hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to 'hide His face' in Psalms 104:29?
When God hides His face, it means He is withdrawing His presence and blessing, which can cause fear and desperation, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:17 and Psalms 30:7.
Why do creatures die and return to dust when God takes away their breath?
This is because God is the giver of life and breath, as stated in Genesis 2:7 and Acts 17:25, and when He withdraws it, all living things must return to their original state.
Is this verse only talking about animals, or does it apply to humans as well?
While the context of Psalms 104 is creation in general, the principles apply to all living things, including humans, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 and Psalms 90:3.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty?
This verse highlights God's absolute control over all creation, as He is the one who gives and takes away life and breath, demonstrating His sovereignty over all things, as stated in Isaiah 46:10 and Romans 11:36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can personally experience the terror of being separated from God's presence, and how can I seek His face in those moments?
- In what ways do I take God's presence and blessing for granted, and how can I cultivate a deeper appreciation for His gift of life and breath?
- How does the reality of returning to dust after death impact my priorities and values in this life, and what does it mean to live with eternity in mind?
- What are some ways I can acknowledge and honor God's sovereignty in my daily life, especially in times of uncertainty or fear?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:29
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled,.... God may be said to hide his face from the creatures when he withholds their food from them, when there is a scarcity of provisions, a famine in the land;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:29
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. -All God's creatures obtain from Him their food in due season.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
Thou hidest thy face, when thou withdrawest or suspendest the favour and care of thy providence. Troubled; dejected and distressed. Takest away; so this word is used, , and elsewhere. To their dust; to the earth, from whence they had their first original.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
Psalms 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.Ver. 29. Thou hidest thy face] i.e. Thou withdrawest thy favour, thy concurrence, thine influence, they are troubled, or terrified, a cold sweat sitteth upon their limbs, animam agunt, they shortly expire; for in God we live, move, and have our being, Acts 17:28 A frown of Augustus Caesar proved to be the death of Cornelius Gallus. Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor of England, died Sept. 20, 1591, of a flux of his urine and grief of mind conceived upon some angry words given him by Queen Elizabeth (Camden). Thou takest away their breath] Heb. Thou gatherest it, callest for it again, viz. their vital vigour.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
(29) Thou hidest Thy face.—Elsewhere an image of displeasure, here only of withdrawal of providential care. (See Psalms 30:7, where the expression “troubled” also occurs.) Thou takest away their breath.—Not only is the food which sustains animal life dependent on the ceaseless providence of God, but even the very breath of life is His, to be sent forth or withdrawn at His will. But to this thought, derived of course from Genesis (comp. Psalms 90:3, Note), the poet adds another. The existence of death is not a sorrow to him any more than it is a mystery. To the psalmist it is only the individual that dies; the race lives. One generation fades as God’s breath is withdrawn, but another succeeds as it is sent forth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
Verse 29. Thou hidest thy face] If thou bring dearth or famine on the land, contagion in the air, or any destruction on the provision made by the waters, then beasts, fowl, and fish die, and are dissolved.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:29
29. All creatures depend upon God for life as well as food. The breath or spirit of God is the source of the life-breath of His creatures. The Psalmist probably had Job 34:14-15 in his mind. Cp. Acts 17:25; Colossians 1:17. The ‘hiding’ of God’s face is usually the symbol of His wrath; but here it denotes rather the withdrawal of His sustaining power. Cp. Psalms 30:7. thou takest away their breath] Or, thou gatherest in, withdrawing the spirit lent for a time (Ecclesiastes 12:7), so that they expire, and their bodies return to the dust whence they were taken (Genesis 3:19).
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:29
Thou hidest thy face - As if God turned away from them; as if he was displeased with them; as if he withdrew from them the tokens of his friendship and favor.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 104:29
29. Thou takest away their breath—Compare Job 34:14; Psalms 146:4. Death is by a natural law of the Creator, by which he taketh back, or gathers to himself, as the word means, the “breath” which he gave.
Sermons on Psalms 104:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The God of the Bible Kills People by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of a young girl who approached him and expressed her desire for her father to get saved. The preacher emphasizes the impor |
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The Spirit of Life by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson explores the profound question of life through Romans 8, emphasizing that true life is found in God, who is the source of all vitality. He explains how the Holy Spirit |
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He Commanded and They Were Created by John Piper | John Piper preaches on the series of messages that will take the congregation from the creation of the world through God's dealings with Israel to the incarnation of God's Son, emp |
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(John - Part 42): Life After Death - the Death and Raising of Lazarus by A.W. Tozer | The video is a summary of a sermon by a German theologian named von Hügel. He emphasizes that the only things that seem to move people's emotions in this world are worldly things l |
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Don't Waste Your Life by Will Galkin | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the brevity and fragility of life. He uses the imagery of broken objects to illustrate how quickly and unexpectedly life can change. The pre |
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Death, and After This, the Judgment by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the certainty of death and the judgment that follows. He mentions significant events in recent history, such as the televised funeral servi |
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Why Are We Alive? by Ernest O'Neill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. He encourages the audience to intellectually conclude that Jesus is God's son and to t |