Psalms 34:21
Psalms 34:21 in Multiple Translations
Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
Evil shall slay the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction.
Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
But malice shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous, shall perish.
Evil doth put to death the wicked, And those hating the righteous are desolate.
Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.
Wicked people will be killed by their own evil deeds (OR, by people doing to them the same evil things that the wicked do to others) [PRS], and Yahweh will punish those who oppose righteous people.
But people that do bad things, they will get trouble and die. And if somebody hates people that live the right way, God will punish that person.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 34:21
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 34:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
כָּל
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י/ו
אַחַ֥ת
מֵ֝/הֵ֗נָּה
לֹ֣א
נִשְׁבָּֽרָה
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Qal
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י/ו
ʻetsem
H6106
bone
N-fp | Suff
אַחַ֥ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
מֵ֝/הֵ֗נָּה
hênnâh
H2007
they(fem.)
Prep | Pron
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נִשְׁבָּֽרָה
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 34:21
שֹׁמֵ֥ר
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Qal
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
עַצְמוֹתָ֑י/ו
ʻetsem
H6106
"bone"
N-fp | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word refers to a bone or the body, and can also mean the substance or essence of something. It is used in many parts of the Bible, including in the book of Genesis and Psalms, to describe the physical body.
Definition: : bone/limb 1) bone, essence, substance 1a) bone 1a1) body, limbs, members, external body 1b) bone (of animal) 1c) substance, self
Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: body, bone, [idiom] life, (self-) same, strength, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 2:23; Job 33:19; Psalms 6:3.
אַחַ֥ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
מֵ֝/הֵ֗נָּה
hênnâh
H2007
"they(fem.)"
Prep | Pron
A Hebrew pronoun meaning they or them, used to refer to a group of people or things, often in a general sense, like in the Psalms. It can also be used to describe something belonging to them.
Definition: they, these, the same, who A grammatical form of hu (הוּא "he/she/it" H1931)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] in, [idiom] such (and such things), their, (into) them, thence, therein, these, they (had), on this side, whose, wherein. See also: Genesis 6:2; Psalms 34:21; Proverbs 6:16.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נִשְׁבָּֽרָה
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 34:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 34:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:21
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
- Sermons on Psalms 34:21
Context — Taste and See That the LORD Is Good
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.
20He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.
21Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.
22The LORD redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 94:23 | He will bring upon them their own iniquity and destroy them for their wickedness. The LORD our God will destroy them. |
| 2 | Proverbs 24:16 | For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times. |
| 3 | Isaiah 3:11 | Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. |
| 4 | Psalms 89:23 | I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. |
| 5 | 2 Thessalonians 1:9 | They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, |
| 6 | Psalms 37:12–15 | The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming. The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. |
| 7 | Luke 19:14 | But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ |
| 8 | 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16 | who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 19:4–5 | Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?” |
| 10 | Psalms 37:30–40 | The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not falter. Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment. Wait for the LORD and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found. Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him. |
Psalms 34:21 Summary
Psalms 34:21 tells us that evil will ultimately destroy the wicked, and those who hate God's people will face condemnation. This means that even though we may face troubles and hardships, God is always working to deliver us and bring justice (as seen in Psalms 34:19-20). We can trust that God will take care of us and bring punishment to those who do wrong, and we should strive to love and forgive those who oppose us, just as God loves and forgives us (as seen in Matthew 5:44). By taking refuge in God and trusting in His redemption, we can have confidence that we will not be condemned, but will be saved and redeemed (Psalms 34:22).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for evil to slay the wicked in Psalms 34:21?
This phrase means that the wicked will ultimately be destroyed by their own evil actions, as seen in Proverbs 11:5-6, where it says that the righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the crooked will be caught by their own wickedness.
Who are the haters of the righteous and what does it mean for them to be condemned?
The haters of the righteous are those who oppose and persecute God's people, as seen in Psalms 35:19, and to be condemned means they will face God's judgment, as warned in Revelation 20:12-15.
How can we trust that God will deliver the righteous and condemn the wicked?
We can trust God's promise of deliverance and judgment because of His faithfulness and justice, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Romans 3:26, where it says that God is a just and righteous God who will not leave the guilty unpunished.
What is the ultimate outcome for those who take refuge in God, as contrasted with the wicked?
Those who take refuge in God will be redeemed and not condemned, as stated in Psalms 34:22, whereas the wicked will face condemnation and destruction, as seen in Psalms 34:21, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's salvation.
Reflection Questions
- How have I seen God deliver me from afflictions in my own life, and how can I trust Him to continue doing so?
- What are some ways I can show love and kindness to those who may be persecuting or opposing me, as a reflection of God's love?
- How can I take refuge in God and trust in His redemption, especially in times of trouble or uncertainty?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be harboring hatred or opposition towards others, and how can I surrender those to God?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked,.... Meaning either the evil they designed against the righteous shall return and fall upon their heads, to their own ruin; or the evil of affliction, which to them is the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. Evil shall slay the wicked.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
Evil; either, 1. The evil of sin. His own wickedness, though designed against others, shall destroy himself. Or, 2. The evil of misery. When the afflictions of good men shall have a happy issue, theirs shall end in their total and final destruction. That hate the righteous; that persecute them, and plot their ruin; which is an evidence that they hate them, whatsoever they may pretend to the contrary.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
Psalms 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.Ver. 21. Evil shall slay the wicked] For lack of such deliverance, as Psalms 34:19, malum iugular authorem mali Their malice shall prove their mischief. The Arabic hath it (but not right), mors impii pessima. Aben Ezra better senseth it thus, One affliction killeth the wicked; when out of many God delivereth the righteous.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
(21) Desolate.—Better (as in margin), shall be found guilty, or condemned.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
Verse 21. Evil shall slay the wicked] The very thing in which they delight shall become their bane and their ruin. They that hate the righteous] All persecutors of God's people shall be followed by the chilling blast of God's displeasure in this world; and if they repent not, shall perish everlastingly.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 34:21
21, 22. shall be desolate] R.V. shall be condemned; or, marg., held guilty. Cp. Psalms 5:10.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 34:21
Evil shall slay the wicked - That is, his own wicked conduct will be the cause of his destruction.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 34:21
15-22. These closing words are devoted to an earnest digest of the moral government of God in redeeming the humble and contrite, and punishing the wicked. Broken heart… contrite spirit—Comp. Psalms 51:17; 1 Samuel 16:7.
Sermons on Psalms 34:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Evil Men in the Plan of God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing and desiring Jesus above all else. He discusses the upcoming difficult days that the world will face and reminds th |
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His Dreadful Threatenings! by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the inseparable connection between sin and its consequences, asserting that the wages of sin is death as stated in Romans 6:23. He argues that a just and r |
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Matthew Ch2 by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, Pastor Symbola shares a personal experience he had with a couple who came to him seeking help. Despite feeling physically and emotionally drained, Pastor Symbola re |
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Spiritual Warfare Series - Talk to the Right Person by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the face of spiritual warfare. He highlights that the battles we face in the spiritual realm are more sig |
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Crucified With Christ by Edgar Reich | In this sermon, the preacher shares a heartbreaking story of a six-year-old boy who was tragically killed by a school bus. Despite the immense grief and pain, the father of the boy |
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The Forgotten Commandment by Jim Van Gelderen | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a young man who was once carnal and worldly but had a life-changing encounter with God's grace. The young man realized t |
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The Demon of Discouragement by Keith Malcomson | Keith Malcomson preaches about the battle against discouragement faced by believers, emphasizing the need to overcome this demon that hinders the church from experiencing revival a |