Psalms 73:20

KJV

As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

KJV (with Strong's)

As a dream {H2472} when one awaketh {H6974}{H8687)}; so, O Lord {H136}, when thou awakest {H5782}, thou shalt despise {H959}{H8799)} their image {H6754}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They are like a dream when one awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms.

Berean Standard Bible

Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

American Standard Version

As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:20 serves as the climactic revelation in Asaph's journey from spiritual doubt to profound understanding, powerfully illustrating the ultimate futility and transient nature of earthly success apart from God. Through a vivid simile, it likens the perceived prosperity and power of the wicked to a dream that dissipates upon waking, signifying God's decisive intervention and judgment. This verse reveals that when the Lord acts, He will utterly expose and hold in contempt the false constructs, pride, and illusory achievements of those who reject Him, revealing their supposed glory as nothing more than an insubstantial, contemptible image.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 73:20 concludes Asaph's profound spiritual crisis and subsequent revelation, which began with his confession of near spiritual stumble due to envy of the wicked's apparent ease and prosperity ([Psalms 73:2](/psalms/73-2 "Psalm 73:2 - Asaph's Near Stumble")). He meticulously details their pride, violence, and seeming immunity from trouble ([Psalms 73:3-12](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3-12 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")). His struggle intensifies as he questions the value of his own righteousness ([Psalms 73:13-16](/psalms/73-13 "Psalm 73:13-16 - Asaph's Struggle with Injustice")). The turning point arrives when Asaph enters "the sanctuary of God" ([Psalms 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Turning Point in the Sanctuary")), where he gains divine perspective on their ultimate, sudden destruction ([Psalms 73:18-19](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-19 - The Sudden Downfall of the Wicked")). Verse 20 functions as the ultimate, definitive statement of this revelation, confirming that the wicked's entire existence, built on pride and self-sufficiency, is as ephemeral and insubstantial as a dream.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 73 is attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levitical musician and seer during the reigns of King David and Solomon. As a wisdom psalm, it addresses a universal human dilemma: the apparent injustice of the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. This theme was particularly poignant in ancient Israel, where a strong connection was often drawn between righteousness and material blessing, and wickedness and suffering (as seen in the Deuteronomic covenant). The psalm challenges a simplistic understanding of divine justice, offering a deeper, eschatological perspective. In the Ancient Near East, dreams were often considered significant, sometimes divine communications, but their fleeting nature upon waking was also well understood, making the comparison in Psalms 73:20 highly relatable. The concept of "image" (צֶלֶם, _ṣelem_) in this context extends beyond physical idols to encompass one's reputation, status, and the outward appearance of power and success, which was highly valued in ancient societies.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalms 73, powerfully encapsulated in verse 20, is **The Illusion of Earthly Prosperity**. The psalm dismantles the deceptive appearance of the wicked's stability and power, revealing it to be as insubstantial and fleeting as a dream. This leads to the theme of **Divine Revelation and Judgment**, where God's "awakening" signifies His decisive intervention and the manifestation of His justice, exposing the emptiness of worldly pride. It underscores the **Futility of Ungodly Living**, demonstrating that the "image"—the self-made glory, status, and perceived invincibility of those who reject God—is ultimately worthless and contemptible in His sight. This divine perspective provides comfort and vindication for the righteous, reinforcing the ultimate **Sovereignty and Justice of God** over all human affairs, both temporal and eternal.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dream (Hebrew, חֲלוֹם _ḥălōm_):** This word refers to a nocturnal vision or a sleep-induced experience. In biblical thought, dreams could be significant (e.g., prophetic dreams), but they were universally understood to be ephemeral, dissolving into nothingness upon waking. Here, it emphasizes the utter insubstantiality and transient nature of the wicked's prosperity and perceived reality. What seems solid and real in the present moment is, from God's eternal perspective, as fleeting and illusory as a dream.
* **Awakest (Hebrew, תָּקִיץ _tāqīṣ_):** This verb, used twice in the verse, literally means "to awake" or "to arise." When applied to God ("when thou awakest"), it is an **anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action to God. It does not imply that God sleeps or is ever inactive, but rather signifies His decisive, active intervention, the moment He rises to execute judgment, reveal His truth, or manifest His power. It marks the transition from a period of apparent divine inaction or patience to a moment of clear, undeniable divine judgment and revelation.
* **Image (Hebrew, צֶלֶם _ṣelem_):** While _ṣelem_ can refer to a physical idol or statue (e.g., in Genesis 1:26 for humanity created in God's image), in this context, it refers to the outward appearance, the false facade, the self-constructed glory, or the perceived invincibility of the wicked. It is the illusory projection of power, security, and success that they create for themselves and by which they live. It is not their true being, but the deceptive show they put on, which God will utterly despise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As a dream when [one] awaketh;":** This opening clause establishes a powerful simile. The prosperity, power, and apparent stability of the wicked are compared to a dream. While a dream can feel intensely real, vivid, and impactful during its duration, it utterly dissolves, vanishes, and becomes insignificant the moment one wakes up. This metaphor vividly portrays the insubstantial and temporary nature of all worldly achievements and glory that are not rooted in God.
* **"[so], O Lord, when thou awakest,**: " This clause applies the previous simile directly to God's action. The phrase "when thou awakest" is an anthropomorphism, not suggesting God sleeps, but rather signifying His decisive, active intervention. It marks the moment when God, in His sovereign timing, rises to execute judgment, reveal His truth, or manifest His justice. This "awakening" of God is the definitive moment when the true reality of the wicked's situation is exposed.
* **"thou shalt despise their image.":** This final clause reveals the consequence of God's "awakening." The Lord will "despise" (hold in contempt, render insignificant, utterly reject) the "image" of the wicked. This "image" refers to their outward show of power, their self-made glory, their perceived invincibility, and the false constructs by which they live. God will expose this facade as worthless, contemptible, and utterly unreal, stripping it of all its illusory power and revealing its true, empty nature.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 73:20 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is the **Simile**, introduced by "As a dream," which compares the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity to the insubstantiality of a dream upon waking. This comparison is highly effective, drawing on a universal human experience to convey a deep theological truth. The verse also employs **Anthropomorphism** when it states, "O Lord, when thou awakest." Attributing the human action of "awakening" to God emphasizes His decisive and active intervention in human affairs, without implying any literal sleep or inactivity on His part. Furthermore, the phrase "their image" functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing the false facade, self-made glory, and perceived power of the ungodly, which God will ultimately expose as worthless. Finally, there is a strong sense of **Juxtaposition** between the perceived reality of the wicked's temporary success and the ultimate, contemptible reality revealed by God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 73:20 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of divine justice and the ultimate vindication of the righteous. It serves as a powerful antidote to the temptation of envy and despair when faced with the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Theologically, it underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over history and the certainty of His judgment. What seems real and powerful in the temporal realm—wealth, status, influence—is, from God's eternal perspective, an illusion that will inevitably dissolve. This verse reminds believers that true reality is defined by God's truth and His character, not by fleeting worldly appearances. It reinforces the wisdom tradition's emphasis on the stark contrast between the ultimate destiny of the righteous and the wicked, providing comfort that God sees, God knows, and God will act decisively to set all things right.

* [Job 20:8](/job/20-8 "Job 20:8 - The Wicked Vanish Like a Dream")
* [Psalm 37:35-36](/psalms/37-35 "Psalm 37:35-36 - The Sudden Disappearance of the Wicked")
* [Malachi 4:1](/malachi/4-1 "Malachi 4:1 - The Day of the Lord Burns Like an Oven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 73:20 offers profound comfort and a vital reorientation for believers navigating a world where injustice often seems to prevail. It calls us to resist the temptation to envy or be dismayed by the temporary success or apparent immunity of those who disregard God. The verse reminds us that what appears formidable and stable in this world—be it financial empires, political power, or social influence—is, if built apart from God, ultimately an illusion destined to vanish. Our hope and security are not to be found in the fleeting realities of this temporal world, but in the enduring presence, unwavering character, and certain justice of the Lord. It encourages patience, trust in divine timing, and a steadfast focus on eternal truths, knowing that God will ultimately expose all pretense and establish His righteous order. This truth liberates us from the anxiety of comparison and empowers us to live faithfully, knowing that our true reward and vindication come from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the fleeting nature of dreams help us understand the temporary nature of worldly success and power?**
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to envy the apparent prosperity or ease of those who seem to live apart from God?**
* **How does the truth of God's ultimate "awakening" and judgment reorient your perspective on current struggles, injustices, or perceived inequalities?**
* **What "images" or facades—whether personal, societal, or cultural—do we construct or value that God might ultimately despise as worthless?**

### FAQ

**Does Psalms 73:20 imply that God literally sleeps or is inactive for a period?**

Answer: No, the phrase "when thou awakest" is an anthropomorphism, a literary device that attributes human characteristics or actions to God. It does not mean that God literally sleeps or is ever inactive. Instead, it signifies God's decisive and active intervention, His rising to execute judgment, to reveal His truth, or to manifest His power in a clear and undeniable way. It highlights a moment of divine initiative where God's justice, which may seem delayed to human eyes, is finally and powerfully revealed.

**What does it mean for God to "despise their image"?**

Answer: The "image" (Hebrew: _ṣelem_) in this context refers not to a physical idol, but to the outward appearance, the false facade, the self-made glory, or the perceived invincibility of the wicked. It encompasses their pride, their self-sufficiency, their accumulated wealth, and their social status—everything they rely on apart from God. To "despise" (Hebrew: _bazah_) means to hold in contempt, to render insignificant, or to expose as utterly worthless. Therefore, when God "despises their image," He is revealing the utter emptiness and futility of all their worldly achievements and self-exaltation, stripping away their illusory power and showing them to be contemptible in His sight. It's a divine act of deconstruction, revealing the true, insubstantial nature of their supposed reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 73:20 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly in His role as the righteous judge and the one who establishes an eternal kingdom. The "dream" of worldly power and prosperity, which the wicked pursue, is utterly exposed as an illusion in the light of Christ's truth. While the world seeks to build its own "image" of success and glory, Christ reveals that true glory is found in humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God ([Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-11 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). The "awakening" of the Lord, signifying divine intervention and judgment, is profoundly manifested in Christ's first coming, which inaugurated the kingdom of God and exposed the spiritual bankruptcy of the world's systems ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom is Not of This World")). More fully, it anticipates His glorious second coming, when He will return as the ultimate Judge ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")), and all earthly "images" built apart from Him will be utterly despised and consumed ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). In Christ, we see the true "image" of God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), and believers are being transformed into His likeness, reflecting an eternal reality that stands in stark contrast to the fleeting dreams of this world ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed into Christ's Image")).

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

Job 20:8

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Isaiah 29:7

And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

Isaiah 29:8

It shall even be as when an hungry [man] dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, [he is] faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Psalms 7:6

Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

Psalms 39:6

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Psalms 90:5

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up.