As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
PSALMS 68:2KJVWhat does Psalms 68:2 mean?
Psalms 68:2 uses vivid images to describe how God’s presence causes the wicked to vanish and be destroyed, just as smoke is blown away by the wind and wax melts before a fire. The verse emphasizes that those who oppose God cannot stand before Him and will ultimately perish.
In this psalm, King David is speaking, calling on God to rise up and act against His enemies. The verse uses everyday experiences—smoke disappearing and wax melting—to help listeners picture how powerless the wicked are before God’s power. This is part of a larger song celebrating God’s might and His care for His people.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 68:2
- "Smoke" (עָשָׁן, ʿāshān) is a picture of something insubstantial and fleeting, showing how quickly God can remove His enemies.
- "Melteth" (נָמַס, nāmas) describes something dissolving or losing its form, which deepens the image of total defeat and helplessness before God.
- "Wicked" (רָשָׁע, rashaʿ) refers specifically to those who are morally opposed to God, not just anyone who makes mistakes.
- "Presence" (פָּנִים, pānîm) literally means "face," suggesting a direct encounter with God, not just a distant effect.
Why Psalms 68:2 matters
- The verse clears up that God’s judgment is not just a distant idea but something that can be sudden and complete, like smoke or melting wax.
- The use of ordinary, physical images helps readers understand the certainty and thoroughness of God’s action against evil.
- This verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which contrasts the fate of the wicked with the joy and safety of those who trust in God.