Psalms 37:20
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.
Main message
Psalm 37:20: The wicked perish and vanish like smoke or pasture glory; the image stresses the end of unjust power and must not be used to celebrate suffering or dehumanize opponents.
Meaning in context
Psalm 37:12–20 · Violence has limits before God — Verses 12–20 depict plots, weapons, and apparent power of the wicked, yet insist that injustice is temporary and cannot secure the future.
The wicked perish and vanish like smoke or pasture glory; the image stresses the end of unjust power and must not be used to celebrate suffering or dehumanize opponents.
Further teachings
Violence has limits before God
The wicked perish and vanish like smoke or pasture glory; the image stresses the end of unjust power and must not be used to celebrate suffering or dehumanize opponents.
Cross References: Psalm 37:20 — Psalm 37:12–20.
Applications in daily life
- 1
Psalm 37:20
The wicked perish and vanish like smoke or pasture glory; the image stresses the end of unjust power and must not be used to celebrate suffering or dehumanize opponents.
Do not rejoice in another person’s suffering or dehumanize enemies under the language of smoke, grass, or perishing.
Related Bible passages and resources
- Psalm 37 (full chapter)
Psalm 37 is an alphabetic wisdom psalm that teaches how to live when wrongdoers appear to flourish. It repeatedly turns the reader from envy, anger, and retaliation toward trust, doing good, patient waiting, generosity, and confidence that God sees the difference between violent injustice and faithful life. Its promises about land, provision, guidance, and deliverance belong to wisdom and covenant poetry and must not be turned into mechanical guarantees of wealth, property, health, or immediate safety. The ending places salvation and refuge in the LORD rather than in private vengeance or superiority over enemies.
- Psalm 37:19
Read the previous verse to preserve the movement.
- Psalm 37:21
Continue with the next verse to preserve the movement.
- Study the Book of Psalms
Keep this verse within Psalm 37’s wisdom contrast between temporary wrongdoing and a life of trust, justice, generosity, patience, and refuge in the LORD.
Common misreadings
Do not rejoice in another person’s suffering or dehumanize enemies under the language of smoke, grass, or perishing.
The wicked perish and vanish like smoke or pasture glory; the image stresses the end of unjust power and must not be used to celebrate suffering or dehumanize opponents.
How to Apply Psalms 37:20
Pray through Psalms 37:20 slowly, pausing at each phrase. Journal what God highlights regarding from Scripture. Commit to one concrete application over the next seven days, and revisit your notes at the end of the week to see how your perspective has shifted through the lens of this passage.
Sources & Method
Biblical text
Commentary anchored in the public-domain Psalm 37 text used by the site.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Reviewed on: