Psalms 37:20
What does Psalms 37:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 37:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 37:20 means
In stark opposition to the enduring security of the righteous, this verse declares the absolute and final destruction of the wicked and those who are God's enemies. "But the wicked shall perish" signifies their complete ruin and end. The vivid imagery of "the fat of lambs" which "shall consume; in smoke shall they consume away" illustrates their swift and thorough obliteration. The fat of lambs, when burned, produces a dense smoke that quickly dissipates, leaving nothing behind. This powerfully conveys the idea that the wicked, despite their temporary flourishing, will vanish entirely, their existence reduced to nothingness, devoid of remembrance or legacy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; in smoke shall they consume away.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the wicked shall perish, And the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: They shall consume; in smoke shall they consume away.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the wrongdoers will come to destruction, and the haters of the Lord will be like the fat of lambs, they will be burned up; they will go up in smoke, and never again be seen.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862But the wicked perish, and the enemies of Jehovah, As the preciousness of lambs, Have been consumed, In smoke they have been consumed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of Jehovah shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume, like smoke shall they consume away.
Context
Following the specific promises of sustenance and protection for the righteous during trials in verse 19, this verse offers the severe counterpoint: the complete and utter destruction of the wicked. It uses a strong, vivid simile to emphasize their transient nature and ultimate annihilation. This definitive statement about the wicked's end directly sets up a further contrast in their character and actions compared to the righteous in the verses that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 12:29
for our God is a consuming fire.
- Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
- Psalms 102:3
For my days consume away like smoke, And my bones are burned as a firebrand.
- Psalms 92:9
For, lo, thine enemies, O Jehovah, For, lo, thine enemies shall perish; All the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
- Genesis 19:28
and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the Plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the land went up as the smoke of a furnace.
- Deuteronomy 29:20
Jehovah will not pardon him, but then the anger of Jehovah and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven.
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