As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about God's power to defeat enemies, but also about the nature of that defeat: it's utterly effortless and complete, like smoke vanishing or wax melting. The imagery highlights that God doesn't struggle against the wicked; their demise is an inevitable consequence of His presence, not a battle He has to fight.
As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm begins with a powerful call for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, like a prelude to victory. This verse then vividly illustrates how easily God can achieve this, comparing the complete and swift disappearance of enemies to smoke blown away by the wind and wax melting before a fire. It sets the stage for the celebration of God's power and justice that unfolds throughout the psalm, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous.
Ever feel like the bad guys 'win' or that evil just can't be stopped? This verse offers a powerful contrast.
The verse uses two striking images to describe the fate of God's enemies: smoke driven away and wax melting before fire.
Vanishing Like Smoke
Think about smoke. It can seem substantial for a moment, filling the air, but a simple gust of wind disperses it completely. It leaves no trace.
Melting Like Wax
Now, consider wax. It's solid, it can hold its shape. But bring it near a flame, and it softens, loses its form, and quickly dissolves. It has no power against the heat.
These aren't images of struggle or a long, drawn-out battle. They depict an utter and swift annihilation. The power of God is so absolute that His enemies simply cease to exist in His presence, like these temporary forms disappearing before a force they cannot withstand.
What does it mean for God to 'arise'? It's not about Him waking up, but about His decisive action against evil.
The prayer at the beginning of this Psalm (verse 1) is 'Let God arise!' This isn't a request for God to wake up, as if He were sleeping. Instead, it's a powerful declaration and plea for God to reveal His power and intervene.
God's Presence as Judgment
When God 'arises,' it means He steps into the situation. His presence is not neutral; it is a consuming fire to wickedness. The 'presence of God' mentioned in verse 2 is not a gentle one for His enemies. It is the very force that causes the wicked to melt and vanish, just as wax melts before fire.
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A Contrast for the Righteous
This divine 'arising' creates a stark contrast. While the wicked perish, the righteous are called to rejoice before God (verse 3). This shows that God's intervention, while devastating to His enemies, brings salvation and gladness to His people. His power is both judgment and deliverance.
Understand the original words
rasha' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Those who are morally corrupt, guilty, or unjust, acting in direct opposition to God’s law and character.
This psalm likely celebrates the triumphant return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem under David. The imagery of God's enemies vanishing like smoke and melting like wax speaks to the powerful and irresistible nature of God's presence and victory, reminding us that He alone brings true security and triumph to His people.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
God's powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their subsequent journey through the wilderness.
c. 1350 BC
Conquest of Canaan
The Israelites, led by Joshua, conquer the Promised Land after years of wandering.
c. 1100 BC
The Song of Deborah (Judges 5)
A triumphant song celebrating a victory over Canaanite oppressors, containing similar imagery of God's enemies perishing.
c. 1000 BC
David Establishes Jerusalem
King David captures Jerusalem and makes it the capital of Israel, intending to bring the Ark of the Covenant there.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Ark of the Covenant Moved to Jerusalem
David's triumphant procession bringing the Ark of the Covenant, God's symbolic presence, to Jerusalem.
This passage uses a similar imagery of vanishing, comparing the wicked to smoke that disappears, directly echoing the theme of swift destruction for the ungodly.
Psalm 97:5This verse also uses the image of melting wax before fire to describe the fate of the wicked when faced with God's presence, reinforcing the theme of their utter powerlessness and dissolution.
Isaiah 10:33This passage describes God Himself cutting down trees with a mighty axe, symbolizing the swift and decisive destruction of powerful enemies, much like the melting wax in our verse.
Nahum 1:5-6Here, mountains and hills tremble before God, and the earth is shaken, illustrating the immense power of God to bring about the complete ruin of His enemies, similar to the power of fire melting wax.
ellicottPsalms 68:2: "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."
(2) Smoke. —The figure of the vanishing smoke has occurred before (see Psalm 37:20 ); for that of the melting wax see Psalm 97:5 . Both figures are too obvious to need reference to the cloud and fire of the ancient encampment.
calvinPsalms 68:1-6: "<or Song of David.>> Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him."
- God shall arise: his enemies shall be scattered; and they who hate him shall flee before him. 2. As smoke is driven away, thou shalt drive them away; as wax melteth before the fire, the wicked shall perish from the presence of God. 3. But the righteous shall be glad; they shall rejoice before God, and leap for exultation. 4. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:…
This verse isn't just about God's power to defeat enemies, but also about the nature of that defeat: it's utterly effortless and complete, like smoke vanishing or wax melting. The imagery highlights that God doesn't struggle against the wicked; their demise is an inevitable consequence of His presence, not a battle He has to fight.
The psalm begins with a powerful call for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, like a prelude to victory. This verse then vividly illustrates how easily God can achieve this, comparing the complete and swift disappearance of enemies to smoke blown away by the wind and wax melting before a fire. It sets the stage for the celebration of God's power and justice that unfolds throughout the psalm, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous.
The psalm begins with a powerful call for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, like a prelude to victory. This verse then vividly illustrates how easily God can achieve this, comparing the complete and swift disappearance of enemies to smoke blown away by the wind and wax melting before a fire. It sets the stage for the celebration of God's power and justice that unfolds throughout the psalm, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous.
"As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!" — This verse isn't just about God's power to defeat enemies, but also about the nature of that defeat: it's utterly effortless and complete, like smoke vanishing or wax melting. The imagery highlight…
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Last reviewed October 2026