Problem: The psalmist affirms that “evildoers shall be cut off.” Elsewhere (Ps 73:27; Prov 21:28), it says they will perish (see comments on 2 thess. 1:9). But does being cut off forever mean they will be annihilated?

Solution: Being “cut off” does not mean to be annihilated. If it did, then the Messiah would have been annihilated when He died, since the same word (karath) is used of the Messiah’s death (in Dan 9:26). However, we know that Christ was not annihilated but lives on forever after His death (cf. Rev 1:18; also see comments on 2 Thess 1:9).