God’s justice ultimately triumphs over the fleeting success of the wicked.
The psalmist, Asaph (a Levite musician who served in Jerusalem under the rule of King David around 1010-970 BC), continues to reflect on the ultimate fate of the wicked. Part of his realization is captured in the words, “Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form” (v.20). In the broader flow of Psalm 73, Asaph expresses that the prosperity and security of the ungodly are temporary illusions—similar to how a dream dissipates quickly once a person emerges from sleep. This illustration conveys how what seems substantial and lasting will melt away when confronted by God’s righteousness and truth.
When Asaph says, “Like a dream when one awakes” (v.20), he is describing the suddenness with which the wicked vanish from their positions of false security. Dreams often lack an enduring essence; they can feel vivid and even comforting or terrifying in the moment, yet they fade swiftly once the dreamer is fully alert. The psalmist notes that when the Lord “arouses,” or rises to act, these proud and selfish individuals will be confronted by the reality of divine judgment. The passage highlights the contrast between the temporary, human sense of power and God’s unshakable sovereignty (2 Timothy 4:1).
The phrase, “when aroused, You will despise their form” (v.20), depicts the Lord’s response to evil and pride. Although the ungodly might look successful, God’s holiness guarantees their eventual downfall. This principle points forward to Jesus’ teaching on how worldly riches and pride are fleeting, and that in the final reckoning, God’s justice will prevail (see Matthew 6:19-21). The verse thus serves as a reassurance to the faithful: the Lord sees all, and human pomp fades under His righteous gaze.
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Psalms 73:20 meaning
The psalmist, Asaph (a Levite musician who served in Jerusalem under the rule of King David around 1010-970 BC), continues to reflect on the ultimate fate of the wicked. Part of his realization is captured in the words, “Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, You will despise their form” (v.20). In the broader flow of Psalm 73, Asaph expresses that the prosperity and security of the ungodly are temporary illusions—similar to how a dream dissipates quickly once a person emerges from sleep. This illustration conveys how what seems substantial and lasting will melt away when confronted by God’s righteousness and truth.
When Asaph says, “Like a dream when one awakes” (v.20), he is describing the suddenness with which the wicked vanish from their positions of false security. Dreams often lack an enduring essence; they can feel vivid and even comforting or terrifying in the moment, yet they fade swiftly once the dreamer is fully alert. The psalmist notes that when the Lord “arouses,” or rises to act, these proud and selfish individuals will be confronted by the reality of divine judgment. The passage highlights the contrast between the temporary, human sense of power and God’s unshakable sovereignty (2 Timothy 4:1).
The phrase, “when aroused, You will despise their form” (v.20), depicts the Lord’s response to evil and pride. Although the ungodly might look successful, God’s holiness guarantees their eventual downfall. This principle points forward to Jesus’ teaching on how worldly riches and pride are fleeting, and that in the final reckoning, God’s justice will prevail (see Matthew 6:19-21). The verse thus serves as a reassurance to the faithful: the Lord sees all, and human pomp fades under His righteous gaze.