But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse uses a striking image: the enemies of God are like the "glory of the pastures" that vanish into smoke. This isn't just about fading away; it emphasizes how quickly and completely their temporary brilliance and prosperity disappear, much like grass wilting and disappearing when scorched by intense heat.
But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm is contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, assuring believers that God's provision will sustain them even in times of hardship. This verse directly follows the promise that the righteous will inherit the land, emphasizing that the wicked, who are also called God's enemies, will not fare well. They will experience a rapid and complete destruction, vanishing like smoke from a fire.
The Bible paints a vivid picture of the wicked's ultimate fate. It uses natural imagery to show their end is not just death, but a complete disappearance.
The verse compares the enemies of the Lord to 'the glory of the pastures' that vanish like smoke.
Fleeting Beauty
This imagery points to something that looks impressive and full of life – like lush, green pastures in their prime, or the 'fat of lambs' prepared for sacrifice – but is ultimately temporary. The 'glory of the pastures' refers to the vibrant, beautiful vegetation that thrives in the right season but quickly fades and dries up under intense heat.
Complete Dissipation
The comparison to smoke emphasizes utter and complete disappearance. Smoke doesn't just fade; it dissipates into nothingness, leaving no trace behind. This isn't just about death, but a finality, a removal from existence, especially in God's sight.
The verse doesn't just speak of 'the wicked'; it calls them 'the enemies of the Lord.' What does this specific designation mean for their destiny?
Calling the wicked 'the enemies of the Lord' is crucial. It elevates their opposition from mere human conflict to a direct confrontation with God Himself.
God's Perspective
When someone is an 'enemy of the Lord,' it signifies their alignment against God's character, His purposes, and His people. This isn't just a human label; it's a divine assessment. Their actions and attitudes are fundamentally opposed to God's will and reign.
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Inevitable Judgment
Because they are enemies of the Almighty, their 'perishing' and 'consuming away' are not accidental or merely unfortunate. They are the direct result of divine judgment. Their ultimate fate is sealed by their declared opposition to God, making their disappearance a certainty of His righteous wrath.
Understand the original words
abad · Hebrew Verb
Refers to complete destruction, death, or being brought to nothing. It denotes the finality of God's judgment upon those who persist in rebellion against Him.
oyeb · Hebrew Noun
Those who actively oppose God and His people. This term characterizes the wicked as being in a state of open conflict with the Creator.
This passage uses a similar imagery of fading glory to describe the temporary nature of wealth and the passing prosperity of the wicked, directly echoing the 'vanishing like smoke' theme.
Luke 12:28Jesus' teaching here about God clothing the grass of the field so beautifully, yet it perishing, reinforces the idea that outward splendor, like that of the wicked, is fleeting and temporary.
Isaiah 40:7This verse speaks of the 'grass withering' and the 'flower fading,' drawing a parallel to the transient nature of human glory and the certainty of its decay, much like the vanishing wicked.
Matthew 6:30Jesus compares the temporary beauty of the lilies of the field to human efforts, implying that even the most glorious of earthly things are temporary, a concept that powerfully applies to the wicked's ultimate fate.
Revelation 18:17This passage vividly describes the sudden and utter destruction of a great city, emphasizing how its riches and glory vanish in a single hour, mirroring the complete disappearance of the wicked described in Psalms.
calvinPsalms 37:20-22: "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."
- For the wicked shalt perish, and the enemies of Jehovah shall be consumed as the preciousness [35] of lambs; they shalt be consumed into smoke. [36] 21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again; but the righteous is merciful, and giveth. 22. For those who are blessed by him shall inherit the earth; and those who are cursed of him…
clarkePsalms 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."
The enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs - This verse has given the critics some trouble. Several of the Versions read thus: "But the enemies of the Lord, as soon as they are exalted to honor, shall vanish; like smoke they vanish." If we follow the Hebreto, it intimates that they shall consume as the fat of lambs. That is, as…
The verse uses a striking image: the enemies of God are like the "glory of the pastures" that vanish into smoke. This isn't just about fading away; it emphasizes how quickly and completely their temporary brilliance and prosperity disappear, much like grass wilting and disappearing when scorched by intense heat.
The psalm is contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, assuring believers that God's provision will sustain them even in times of hardship. This verse directly follows the promise that the righteous will inherit the land, emphasizing that the wicked, who are also called God's enemies, will not fare well. They will experience a rapid and complete destruction, vanishing like smoke from a fire.
The psalm is contrasting the fate of the righteous with that of the wicked, assuring believers that God's provision will sustain them even in times of hardship. This verse directly follows the promise that the righteous will inherit the land, emphasizing that the wicked, who are also called God's enemies, will not fare well. They will experience a rapid and complete destruction, vanishing like smoke from a fire.
"But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away." — The verse uses a striking image: the enemies of God are like the "glory of the pastures" that vanish into smoke. This isn't just about fading away; it emphasizes how quickly and completely their temp…
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Last reviewed October 2026