Psalms 104:29

Authorized King James Version

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Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

Original Language Analysis

תַּסְתִּ֥יר Thou hidest H5641
תַּסְתִּ֥יר Thou hidest
Strong's: H5641
Word #: 1 of 9
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָּנֶיךָ֮ thy face H6440
פָּנֶיךָ֮ thy face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּן they are troubled H926
יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּן they are troubled
Strong's: H926
Word #: 3 of 9
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
תֹּסֵ֣ף thou takest away H622
תֹּסֵ֣ף thou takest away
Strong's: H622
Word #: 4 of 9
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
ר֭וּחָם their breath H7307
ר֭וּחָם their breath
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 5 of 9
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יִגְוָע֑וּן they die H1478
יִגְוָע֑וּן they die
Strong's: H1478
Word #: 6 of 9
to breathe out, i.e., (by implication) expire
וְֽאֶל H413
וְֽאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 9
near, with or among; often in general, to
עֲפָרָ֥ם to their dust H6083
עֲפָרָ֥ם to their dust
Strong's: H6083
Word #: 8 of 9
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
יְשׁוּבֽוּן׃ and return H7725
יְשׁוּבֽוּן׃ and return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 9 of 9
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

Analysis & Commentary

When God hides His face, creatures are troubled; when He takes away breath (ruach), they die and return to dust (aphar). This sobering verse acknowledges God's power over life and death. Hiding His face suggests withdrawal of favor, causing distress. Taking away breath (the same word as Spirit) causes death, reversing the creation of Adam. Returning to dust recalls Genesis 3:19's curse. All life exists moment-by-moment by God's sustaining power. Christ's death ('gave up his spirit,' John 19:30) and resurrection demonstrate His authority over death itself.

Historical Context

Ancient Israelites understood breath as the life-principle given by God. Death was seen as God withdrawing this gift, returning the body to the dust from which it came (Gen 2:7, 3:19).

Questions for Reflection