Psalms 68:2
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)
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The striking imagery here isn't just about God's power, but also about the insignificance and lack of substance of the wicked when faced with Him. They aren't just defeated; they vanish like smoke or melt like wax, highlighting their inherent weakness and inability to truly stand against God's presence.
This psalm begins with a powerful declaration for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, echoing Moses' ancient cry when the Ark of the Covenant moved. The verses that follow use vivid imagery to emphasize how easily God can utterly destroy those who oppose Him, comparing them to smoke dispersed by wind and wax melting before a flame. This sets the stage for a celebration of God's strength and His care for the vulnerable, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous who rejoice in His presence.
Ever feel like the 'bad guys' are winning, and their power is unstoppable? This verse offers a completely different perspective.
The psalmist uses two vivid images to describe the enemies of God: smoke and wax.
Smoke Blown Away
Just as smoke, no matter how thick, is easily dispersed by the wind, so the power and presence of God's enemies are ultimately fleeting and easily overcome. They might seem imposing for a moment, but they have no lasting substance against the force of God.
Wax Melting Before Fire
Similarly, wax is soft and pliable, easily yielding to heat. When exposed to fire, it loses its form and melts away completely. This picture emphasizes the utter helplessness and rapid destruction that awaits those who oppose God.
It's not just about the enemies disappearing; it's about why they disappear. The key is God's presence.
The verse powerfully links the destruction of the wicked to one specific factor: the 'presence of God.' It's not a neutral force; it's a consuming, overwhelming reality for those who oppose Him.
A Consuming Fire
Think of God's presence like an intense fire. For the wicked, who are like wax, this presence isn't warming or comforting; it's destructive. They cannot withstand the intensity of His holiness and power. Their resistance melts away because they are fundamentally incompatible with His being.
An Overpowering Wind
His presence is also like a powerful wind that scatters smoke. The enemies might try to stand firm, but God's sovereign power simply blows them away. Their attempts to establish themselves are futile when God decides to act.
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 written during or shortly after David's conquest of Jerusalem and the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the city, uses vivid imagery of smoke and melting wax to convey the utter and swift destruction that awaits God's enemies when He 'arises' to defend His people and assert His presence.
~1440 BC
Israel Departs Egypt
After centuries of slavery, God miraculously leads the Israelites out of Egypt under Moses, demonstrating His power to His people and against their oppressors.
~1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following Moses' death, Joshua leads Israel in conquering the Promised Land, a period marked by significant battles and divine intervention against the Canaanite nations.
c. 1375-1075 BC
Period of the Judges
A turbulent era where Israel experienced cycles of disobedience, oppression by neighboring nations, and deliverance through various judges, highlighting God's faithfulness amidst their unfaithfulness.
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the Monarchy
Israel demands a king, leading to the anointing of Saul and later David, establishing a unified kingdom and a more centralized form of worship, often with the Ark of the Covenant central to the experience.
This passage uses a similar image of the wicked perishing, comparing them to smoke that vanishes, directly echoing the imagery in Psalm 68:2.
Psalm 97:5This verse also employs the metaphor of melting wax before fire to describe the dissolution of idols and the wicked, reinforcing the idea of their complete powerlessness against God's presence.
Exodus 15:14-15In the triumphant song after the Red Sea crossing, similar language is used to describe the nations' fear and trembling before God's power, reflecting the sense of dread the wicked feel as they perish.
Nahum 1:5-6This prophecy vividly describes the natural elements reacting to God's presence with violence, akin to the wax melting in Psalm 68:2, underscoring the uncontrollable power of God against His enemies.
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:…
The striking imagery here isn't just about God's power, but also about the insignificance and lack of substance of the wicked when faced with Him. They aren't just defeated; they vanish like smoke or melt like wax, highlighting their inherent weakness and inability to truly stand against God's presence.
This psalm begins with a powerful declaration for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, echoing Moses' ancient cry when the Ark of the Covenant moved. The verses that follow use vivid imagery to emphasize how easily God can utterly destroy those who oppose Him, comparing them to smoke dispersed by wind and wax melting before a flame. This sets the stage for a celebration of God's strength and His care for the vulnerable, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous who rejoice in His presence.
This psalm begins with a powerful declaration for God to rise up and scatter His enemies, echoing Moses' ancient cry when the Ark of the Covenant moved. The verses that follow use vivid imagery to emphasize how easily God can utterly destroy those who oppose Him, comparing them to smoke dispersed by wind and wax melting before a flame. This sets the stage for a celebration of God's strength and His care for the vulnerable, contrasting the fate of the wicked with the joy of the righteous who rejoice in His presence.
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c. 1000 BC— this verse
David Captures Jerusalem
King David successfully conquers the Jebusite city of Jerusalem and establishes it as his capital, bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city and setting the stage for it to become the center of Israel's worship.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Builds the Temple
David's son Solomon builds a magnificent Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant, becoming the permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people.
"As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!" — The striking imagery here isn't just about God's power, but also about the insignificance and lack of substance of the wicked when faced with Him. They aren't just defeated; they vanish like smok…
