Psalms 68:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

As smoke {H6227} is driven away {H5086}{H8736)}, so drive them away {H5086}{H8799)}: as wax {H1749} melteth {H4549}{H8736)} before {H6440} the fire {H784}, so let the wicked {H7563} perish {H6}{H8799)} at the presence {H6440} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Drive them away as smoke is driven away; like wax melting in the presence of a fire, let the wicked perish in the presence of God.

Berean Standard Bible

As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 68:2 powerfully articulates a fervent prayer for divine judgment against those who oppose God, employing vivid natural imagery to depict their effortless and complete dissolution in His presence. The verse serves as a declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and His active role in scattering His enemies, setting a triumphant tone for the psalm's celebration of His mighty power and unwavering justice. It underscores the profound vulnerability of the wicked when confronted by the manifest glory and authority of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 68 is a magnificent psalm of triumph, often characterized as a national hymn celebrating God's kingship and His victorious procession. It likely commemorates a significant historical event, such as the movement of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem or a great military victory, where God demonstrates His power as a divine warrior. The psalm opens with a direct echo of the ancient battle cry associated with the Ark's movement: "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered" ([Numbers 10:35](/numbers/10-35 "Numbers 10:35 - The Ark's Battle Cry")). Thus, verse 2 immediately establishes the theme of divine judgment and the effortless defeat of God's adversaries, setting the stage for the subsequent recounting of God's mighty acts on behalf of His people, from the Exodus to the establishment of His dwelling in Zion. This verse functions as a foundational statement of God's active opposition to evil within the broader narrative of His redemptive history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery and themes within Psalm 68 resonate deeply with ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine warfare and the role of a nation's deity in battle. In Israel, Yahweh was uniquely understood as the supreme warrior who fought for His people. The Ark of the Covenant, often carried into battle, symbolized God's manifest presence among His army, and its movement was believed to precede divine intervention and victory. The "presence of God" (Hebrew: _panim_) would have evoked not merely His spatial proximity but His active, powerful, and often terrifying manifestation, akin to a theophany. The melting of wax before fire or the dispersal of smoke by wind would have been common, observable phenomena, making the metaphors immediately relatable and impactful for an ancient audience, emphasizing the utter futility of resisting an omnipotent deity. This context underscores the psalmist's confidence in God's historical and ongoing intervention against those who defy His righteous order.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 68:2 encapsulates several key themes central to the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, declaring that God's mere presence is sufficient to cause the wicked to perish, highlighting His absolute control over all creation and all opposition. Secondly, it emphasizes **God as a Divine Warrior and Deliverer**, who actively engages in battle on behalf of His people, scattering His enemies as easily as smoke. This theme is pervasive in the Old Testament, from the triumph at the Red Sea in [Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of the Sea") to the prophetic visions of God's coming judgment. Thirdly, the verse speaks to **Righteous Judgment and the Fate of the Wicked**, portraying their ultimate vulnerability and transient nature in the face of God's holiness, a theme echoed in [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Ungodly Shall Perish"). Finally, implicitly, it underscores the **Security and Vindication of the Righteous**, as the perishing of God's enemies inherently ensures the safety and triumph of those who align themselves with Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smoke (Hebrew, _'ashan'_):** This word signifies something insubstantial, transient, and easily dispersed. In the context of the verse, "smoke driven away" evokes an image of utter futility and effortless removal. Just as smoke cannot stand against a strong wind, so too the wicked cannot withstand God's power. It speaks to their ephemerality and lack of lasting substance when confronted by the divine.
* **Wax (Hebrew, _donag'_):** Wax is known for its susceptibility to heat, melting and dissolving completely when exposed to fire. This imagery emphasizes the total destruction and dissolution of the wicked. It's not merely a scattering but a complete disintegration, leaving no trace. The vulnerability of wax before fire powerfully illustrates the absolute impotence of God's enemies in His presence.
* **Presence (Hebrew, _panim'_):** Often translated as "face" or "countenance," _panim_ in the context of God signifies His direct, active, and manifest appearance or intervention. It implies more than just being in the vicinity; it refers to a powerful, unmediated encounter with the Divine. When the wicked perish "at the presence of God," it means they cannot endure His unveiled glory, holiness, and power, which inherently brings judgment upon unrighteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away":** This clause initiates a powerful simile, comparing the wicked to smoke. Smoke, by its very nature, is insubstantial and easily dispersed by wind. The psalmist's prayer is that God would act with similar ease and effectiveness, effortlessly scattering and removing His enemies. The passive nature of smoke being "driven away" highlights the active power of God as the agent of dispersion, emphasizing the futility of any resistance.
* **"as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God."**: This second clause continues the similes, intensifying the imagery of destruction. Wax, when exposed to fire, does not merely scatter but utterly melts and dissolves, ceasing to exist in its original form. This depicts a more complete and final destruction for the wicked. The crucial element here is "at the presence of God." It is not a physical battle or a prolonged struggle, but the mere, unmediated manifestation of God's being and power that causes the wicked to "perish," implying their complete and irreversible demise.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 68:2 is rich in **Imagery** and **Simile**, employing two distinct comparisons to convey the fate of the wicked. The first **Simile** compares the wicked to "smoke" that is "driven away," evoking a visual image of something insubstantial and easily dispersed by an unseen force, symbolizing their transient nature and effortless removal. The second **Simile** intensifies this by likening the wicked to "wax" that "melteth before the fire," presenting a tactile and visual image of complete dissolution and destruction, implying a more profound and irreversible end. Both similes are structured in **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second line reinforces and amplifies the thought of the first, creating a cumulative effect of divine power and the inevitability of judgment. The repeated "so" emphasizes the direct cause-and-effect relationship between God's action and the wicked's demise. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine judgment, illustrating God's absolute sovereignty and the utter inability of evil to stand in His holy presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the character of God as both righteous judge and mighty deliverer. It affirms His active involvement in the affairs of humanity, particularly in upholding justice and confronting evil. The imagery of smoke and melting wax underscores the absolute vulnerability of those who oppose God; their power, plans, and very existence are utterly insignificant and transient when confronted by His manifest presence. This is not merely a wish for vengeance but a confident declaration of divine justice, reflecting the conviction that God will ultimately set all things right. It provides comfort for the righteous who suffer under oppression, assuring them that God sees and will act, and serves as a sober warning for those who persist in unrighteousness, highlighting the inescapable consequences of defying the Almighty.

* [Psalm 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Ungodly are Like Chaff")
* [Nahum 1:5-6](/nahum/1-5 "Nahum 1:5-6 - God's Indignation and Power")
* [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Second Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 68:2 offers a powerful lens through which to view God's sovereignty and our place within His cosmic order. For the believer, it provides immense comfort and assurance in times of injustice or oppression. When we witness the proliferation of evil or feel overwhelmed by the forces that seem to defy God, this verse reminds us that His presence alone is sufficient to dissolve all opposition. It calls us to trust in His perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to justice, rather than resorting to our own means of retribution. For those who may be living in opposition to God, whether consciously or unconsciously, this verse serves as a profound and urgent warning. It highlights the fleeting nature of worldly power and the ultimate futility of resisting the Creator. It is a call to humility, repentance, and a turning towards the one whose presence brings either life or perishing. Ultimately, it invites us to align our lives with God's righteous ways, finding refuge and security in His enduring presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "smoke driven away" and "wax melteth before the fire" impact your understanding of God's power and the fate of His enemies?**
* **In what areas of your life or the world do you long to see God's "presence" manifest in judgment against evil?**
* **What does this verse teach us about trusting God's timing and method for dealing with injustice, rather than seeking personal vengeance?**
* **How should the truth that the wicked "perish at the presence of God" shape your daily walk and your witness to others?**

### FAQ
**Is this verse a call for believers to actively "drive away" or "perish" the wicked themselves?**

Answer: No, this verse is a prayer and a declaration of God's sovereign action, not a command for human retribution. The psalmist is appealing to God to act on His own behalf, demonstrating His power and justice. Throughout Scripture, vengeance is consistently portrayed as belonging to God alone (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")). Believers are called to love their enemies, pray for them, and overcome evil with good ([Romans 12:19-21](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19-21 - Overcome Evil with Good")). The "perishing" described here is a divine act, a consequence of God's holy presence confronting unrighteousness, not a human endeavor.

**Who are "the wicked" referred to in this psalm?**

Answer: In the context of the Psalms, "the wicked" (Hebrew: _rasha'_) generally refers to those who are morally corrupt, rebellious against God's law, and actively oppose God's people and His righteous ways. They are characterized by their defiance of divine authority, their pursuit of injustice, and their rejection of God's truth. While often having historical or national enemies in mind, the term also carries a broader theological meaning, encompassing anyone whose life is lived in active opposition to God and His covenant. Their "perishing" signifies their ultimate failure and dissolution in the face of God's absolute power and holiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 68:2 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm vividly portrays God's judgment against His enemies, Christ's first coming introduced a new dimension to God's "presence" – one of redemptive grace and salvation from the very judgment described. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering a way for humanity to escape the "perishing" that comes from God's presence by being reconciled to Him through faith. However, the verse also powerfully anticipates Christ's second coming. When Jesus returns in glory, His manifest "presence" will indeed cause all unrighteousness and opposition to "perish" and be "driven away." He will come as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), whose very appearance will consume evil and establish His eternal kingdom ([2 Thessalonians 1:7-9](/2_thessalonians/1-7 "2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 - The Lord Jesus Revealed from Heaven")). Thus, Christ is both the means by which we are saved from the judgment of God's presence and the ultimate embodiment of that powerful presence which will one day bring final dissolution to all wickedness, fulfilling the psalmist's prayer in its most comprehensive and definitive sense.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 1:4

And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place.

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.

Psalms 97:5

The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

Hosea 13:3

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Isaiah 9:18

For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up [like] the lifting up of smoke.

Psalms 80:16

[It is] burned with fire, [it is] cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: