Psalm 69 34

Psalm 69:34 kjv

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

Psalm 69:34 nkjv

Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.

Psalm 69:34 niv

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

Psalm 69:34 esv

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.

Psalm 69:34 nlt

Praise him, O heaven and earth,
the seas and all that move in them.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 34 Meaning

Psalm 69:34 is a vibrant declaration and prayer, calling upon all of creation—heaven, earth, the seas, and everything within them—to praise God. It expresses a deep theological truth that the entire cosmos, both the inanimate and animate, should collectively acknowledge and glorify the divine power, justice, and faithfulness of the Almighty. This verse, coming at the turning point of a psalm of deep lament, transitions from personal suffering and desperate appeal to a hopeful and confident expectation of God's deliverance and ultimate vindication, which will elicit universal acclamation.

Psalm 69 34 Context

Psalm 69 is a profound and poignant lament, attributed to David, that depicts deep suffering, hostility from enemies, and spiritual anguish. It begins with the psalmist crying out from the "miry depths" (Ps 69:1-3), enduring reproach for God's sake (Ps 69:7-12), and appealing for divine intervention and retribution against his persecutors (Ps 69:13-28). Amidst this intense personal distress, there is a pivotal shift towards hope and faith. The psalmist expresses confidence that God "hears the needy" and "does not despise His own people" (Ps 69:33). Following a vow to praise God through personal sacrifice and song (Ps 69:30-32), verse 34 expands this individual commitment into a cosmic call. This transition from individual deliverance to universal praise (Ps 69:34) and then to the broader restoration of God's people and cities (Ps 69:35-36) demonstrates an unwavering faith in God's ultimate victory and justice, transforming lament into hopeful worship for both the individual and the entire cosmos.

Psalm 69 34 Word analysis

• יְהַלְלֻהוּ (y'hal'lūhū): "Let them praise Him" or "They shall praise Him."

  • Root: HLL (הלל), meaning to praise, laud, glorify. This is the root from which "Hallelujah" (Praise the Lord) is derived.
  • Form: Hiphil Jussive (or Imperfect with jussive force). It conveys a command, an exhortation, or a strong wish for something to happen. It indicates an active, intense form of praise, reflecting an intentional and perhaps joyous glorification.
  • Significance: This is not a passive observation but an imperative or strong expectation for universal action, a command issued by the psalmist for all creation to respond in worship to God's expected salvation.

• שָׁמַיִם (shāmayim): "Heavens."

  • Meaning: Refers to the visible sky, the celestial realm, and by extension, the dwelling place of God (though not containing Him fully).
  • Significance: Represents the uppermost parts of creation, the realm beyond human touch, yet intricately part of God's domain. It highlights the vastness of God's reign.

• וָאָרֶץ (wā'āretz): "And earth."

  • Meaning: The solid ground, the land inhabited by humans, and all its features.
  • Significance: Together with "heavens," it signifies the entire known universe, from the celestial expanse to the earthly realm, affirming God's total dominion over all things visible.

• יַמִּים (yammīm): "Seas" or "waters."

  • Meaning: The oceans, large bodies of water. In ancient cosmology, the seas were often associated with chaos and untamed power, needing divine control.
  • Significance: By specifically including the "seas," the psalmist underscores God's sovereignty even over the chaotic or unknown elements of creation, realms that might appear formidable or uncontrollable to humanity. This often carried polemical weight against pagan deities associated with sea powers.

• וְכֹל (w'ḵōl): "And all" or "and everything."

  • Meaning: A comprehensive term indicating completeness or entirety.
  • Significance: It emphasizes that no part of creation is excluded from this command to praise.

• רֹמֵשׂ (rōmēs): "That moves" or "that creeps" or "that swarms."

  • Meaning: A verb used to describe the movement of smaller, lower creatures, often associated with swarming or crawling things on the earth (Gen 1:24) or in the water (Gen 1:21). It encompasses a wide variety of animals.
  • Significance: The use of rōmēs alongside majestic "heavens," "earth," and "seas" is striking. It signals that even the humblest, most common, or seemingly insignificant living creatures are included in the divine mandate to praise. It speaks to the Creator's attention to all life forms, big or small.

• בָּהֶם (bāhem): "In them."

  • Meaning: A plural pronoun, referring to "the seas."
  • Significance: Specifies that "everything that moves" here refers to the aquatic life, extending the call to praise to the depths of the ocean.

Words-group analysis:

• יְהַלְלֻהוּ שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ יַמִּים וְכֹל רֹמֵשׂ בָּהֶם: "Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them." This phrase constructs a universal symphony of praise. It starts with the most immense and broad categories of creation (heaven, earth, seas) and then includes the living organisms within the waters. The inclusion of the "moving things" (rōmēs) speaks to God's authority over not just the physical structures but also the life within them, regardless of size or perceived significance. This highlights the comprehensiveness of God's creative work and His deservingness of total cosmic adoration. It reflects a profound understanding of God as the sovereign Creator of all, distinct from fragmented pagan cosmologies.

Psalm 69 34 Bonus section

The specific choice of rōmēs (moving/swarming things) when applied to the sea in Gen 1:21 highlights the life God placed in even the seemingly "chaotic" waters. This mirrors the biblical theme of God bringing order out of chaos (Gen 1:2) and underscores His complete mastery over all environments. The declaration in Psalm 69:34 echoes the natural order established at creation, where the existence of all things, from the largest celestial bodies to the smallest marine creatures, points back to the Creator. This concept implies that even inanimate elements, by their very existence and order, silently testify to God's glory, while living creatures have the capacity for more active praise.

Psalm 69 34 Commentary

Psalm 69:34 represents a breathtaking theological crescendo in a psalm initially steeped in the agony of personal suffering. It transcends the individual’s plea to anticipate a universal acclamation of God’s redemptive power. The psalmist, through divine inspiration, declares that the anticipated vindication and salvation he hopes for (as expressed in Ps 69:33) will not only justify him but also command the adoration of all creation.

This is more than a poetic flourish; it is a prophetic statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty and the ultimate purpose of creation. Heaven, earth, and the seas, including all creatures, are summoned to actively "praise Him" – a Hiphil jussive verb emphasizing a deliberate, intense glorification. This universal chorus stems from God's character as the Creator and Deliverer, signifying that His righteous acts and steadfast love compel recognition from every part of His handiwork.

The phrase "everything that moves in them" (referring to the seas) specifically using the word rōmēs, encompasses even the lowliest and most humble forms of life, highlighting God's meticulous care and dominion over every detail of creation. This rejects any notion of neglected or unruly parts of the cosmos; all are ordered by God and contribute to His glory. It implicitly serves as a polemic against pagan beliefs, which often fragmented the cosmos into domains ruled by various gods, or viewed parts of nature as chaotic and unsubdued. Here, the One God holds complete, harmonious sway.

This verse therefore conveys hope, not only for the psalmist's personal salvation but for the cosmic renewal when God’s reign is fully acknowledged and glorified throughout His creation, bringing order, joy, and rightful worship to all. It reminds us that our personal experiences of God's faithfulness are miniature reflections of a grand, cosmic redemptive plan that culminates in universal praise.