The Sin That Brings Death: A Reflection on Psalm 34:21

“Evil will bring about the death of the wicked, and those who hate the righteous one—they will be held guilty.”— Psalm 34:21 (my translation)

Psalm 34 draws a clear line between the righteous and the wicked—not merely by what they believe, but by what they love and what they hate. In verse 21, the psalmist gives a sobering insight: evil itself is what brings about the death of the wicked. It is not an external punishment imposed without cause. It is the natural consequence of aligning oneself with what destroys.

The wicked are not just those who occasionally sin; they are those who are in alignment with evil. They do not seek peace, nor do they pursue it. They do not guard their tongues from speaking evil or deceit, because they are part of evil’s army. They have no delight in life. And why should they? They have rejected the source of life Himself.

This is the irony and tragedy of their end: the very thing they embrace—evil—is what kills them. The righteous are called to turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14), but the wicked refuse. They do not want life, because they do not want God.

And here is the ultimate proof of their guilt: they hate the righteous one.

This is not just a general reference to moral opposition—it is something deeper. In the psalm, the term צַדִּיק (tsaddiq) is singular. While earlier verses refer to the righteous as a group (plural), this verse points to an individual. I believe this “righteous one” ultimately refers to Jesus Christ, the Righteous One par excellence. He is the one whom the wicked reject, and in rejecting him, they also reject and hate all who are clothed in his righteousness.

To hate the righteous one is to hate righteousness itself. It is to hate the one who embodies life, peace, and truth. It is to hate God.

This is the sin by which the wicked will be held guilty: they have aligned themselves with evil, and that alignment is proven by their hatred of the righteous one. There is no neutrality in the war between righteousness and wickedness. The wicked will die—not because God is cruel, but because they have chosen the path of destruction. They have embraced what cannot give life.

But the righteous—the one who trusts in the Lord—will be delivered from all his afflictions (Psalm 34:19). The Lord redeems the soul of his servants. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned (Psalm 34:22).

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Want to go deeper?

If this reflection stirred something in you, consider reading the full Psalm 34 slowly and prayerfully. Look for the contrast between the righteous and the wicked—not just in their behavior, but in their orientation toward life, truth, and God. And if you haven’t yet taken refuge in Christ, the Righteous One, today is a good day to do so.