Psalm 37:20

Translations

Modern

But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Traditional

But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Literal

But the wicked will perish, and the enemies of YHWH; like the splendor of the meadows they will be consumed, and with the smoke they will be consumed.

Latin

…quia peccatores peribunt. Inimici vero Domini mox ut honorificati fuerint et exaltati, deficientes quemadmodum fumus deficient.

Original

Hebrew

English

But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Notes

Psalms 37:20

Smoke represents the temporary nature of life (Psalm 68:2; 102:3).

Psalms 37:18–20

The Lord cares for the blameless in this life and for eternity, but the wicked will perish.

Psalms 37:1–40

This psalm addresses the issues raised in Psalm 36:

How should the godly react to evil?
When will the Lord bring justice?
Why does he allow the wicked to harm his creation?

Psalm 37 provides clear answers that reduce the tensions of life (Psalm 37:1–9, 34) and promise that the meek will have a future (Psalm 37:10–11, 39–40).

The contrast between the godly and the wicked highlights the uselessness of foolishness (Psalm 37:12–24, 27–33). The psalmist's personal insights add a human element (Psalm 37:25–26, 35–38). He encourages viewing the land's inheritance with a long-term perspective: The earth belongs to the Lord, who will give it to those he blesses—the humble and godly who trust, hope, and follow him (see Psalm 37:9, 11, 22, 29, 34; see also Isaiah 57:13; Matthew 5:5).

Theme notes and profiles

David Inheriting the Land Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Psalm 68:2
As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.
Psalm 102:3
For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones burn like glowing embers.
Luke 13:3
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Deuteronomy 33:14–16
…with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons,
Judges 5:31
So may all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love You shine like the sun at its brightest.” And the land had rest for forty years.
Leviticus 3:3–11
From the peace offering he is to bring a food offering to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them,
2 Peter 2:12
These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.
Genesis 19:28
He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace.
Psalm 92:9
For surely Your enemies, O LORD, surely Your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered.
Hebrews 12:29
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
Luke 13:5
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Leviticus 3:16
Then the priest is to burn the food on the altar as a food offering, a pleasing aroma. All the fat is the LORD’s.

Psalm 37:20

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics