God promises ultimate justice and deliverance for those who trust in Him.
“But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” (v.20) This verse underscores the destiny of those who set themselves against God. They may appear prosperous or powerful for a time—perhaps like flourishing grass in a lush field (an image of short-lived vibrancy)—but ultimately, their end is destruction. The simile of “the glory of the pastures” evokes a brief moment of natural splendor that inevitably withers and disappears. The verse affirms that rebellion and injustice have an expiration date, and this truth provides comfort for believers who witness wickedness seemingly go unchecked.
By likening the demise of the wicked to smoke that vanishes, “They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” (v.20), the psalmist depicts impermanence and swift departure. Smoke quickly disperses into thin air, leaving no lasting trace. In similar fashion, those opposing the LORD do not stand on a firm foundation; their power fades with time. This idea can be connected to various New Testament passages emphasizing the short-lived nature of worldly empires (James 4:14). The biblical teaching throughout Scripture is that the LORD stands eternal, and everything else that is not rooted in God’s righteousness will eventually evaporate.
David, traditionally recognized as the author of many Psalms and believed to have lived roughly from 1040 BC to 970 BC, crafts this imagery amidst a historical context of Israel’s enemies who appeared mighty in the moment but were ultimately defeated by divine intervention. Even when circumstances looked grim, David encourages a perspective fixed on God’s sovereignty rather than the apparent strength of the unrighteous. The verse calls readers to seek alignment with God’s purposes, for in Him alone lies permanence and true life (John 3:16).
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Psalms 37:20 meaning
“But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” (v.20) This verse underscores the destiny of those who set themselves against God. They may appear prosperous or powerful for a time—perhaps like flourishing grass in a lush field (an image of short-lived vibrancy)—but ultimately, their end is destruction. The simile of “the glory of the pastures” evokes a brief moment of natural splendor that inevitably withers and disappears. The verse affirms that rebellion and injustice have an expiration date, and this truth provides comfort for believers who witness wickedness seemingly go unchecked.
By likening the demise of the wicked to smoke that vanishes, “They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.” (v.20), the psalmist depicts impermanence and swift departure. Smoke quickly disperses into thin air, leaving no lasting trace. In similar fashion, those opposing the LORD do not stand on a firm foundation; their power fades with time. This idea can be connected to various New Testament passages emphasizing the short-lived nature of worldly empires (James 4:14). The biblical teaching throughout Scripture is that the LORD stands eternal, and everything else that is not rooted in God’s righteousness will eventually evaporate.
David, traditionally recognized as the author of many Psalms and believed to have lived roughly from 1040 BC to 970 BC, crafts this imagery amidst a historical context of Israel’s enemies who appeared mighty in the moment but were ultimately defeated by divine intervention. Even when circumstances looked grim, David encourages a perspective fixed on God’s sovereignty rather than the apparent strength of the unrighteous. The verse calls readers to seek alignment with God’s purposes, for in Him alone lies permanence and true life (John 3:16).