Psalms 73:20

Psalms 73:20 offers a powerful conclusion to Asaph's struggle with the prosperity of the wicked, revealing the ultimate futility and transient nature of earthly success apart from God. It serves as a vivid metaphor for divine judgment and the fleeting illusion of worldly power.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is found within Psalm 73, a wisdom psalm attributed to Asaph, a chief musician and seer in King David's court. The psalm grapples with a common human dilemma observed throughout history: why do the ungodly, who often appear proud and unburdened by trouble, seem to prosper, while the righteous suffer? Asaph confesses his near stumble (Psalm 73:2) due to envy of the wicked's apparent ease. His perspective dramatically shifts when he enters "the sanctuary of God" (Psalm 73:17), where he gains divine understanding of their ultimate end. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often viewed dreams as significant, but also recognized their ephemeral nature upon waking, providing a relatable image for the fleeting reality of the wicked's success.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Illusion of Earthly Prosperity: The primary theme is the comparison of the wicked's seemingly stable and powerful position to a dream. While a dream can feel intensely real and impactful during its duration, it utterly dissolves and becomes insignificant upon waking. Similarly, the wealth, power, and glory of the ungodly, though impressive in this life, are ultimately insubstantial and will vanish when God's reality intervenes.
• Divine Revelation and Judgment: The phrase "when thou awakest" is an anthropomorphism, not implying God sleeps, but rather signifying His decisive intervention, the manifestation of His justice, or the revealing of His true perspective. It marks the moment when God's active judgment or truth exposes the emptiness of worldly pride and power.
• The Futility of Ungodly Living: God's act of "despising their image" signifies His utter contempt for the false constructs, pride, and apparent achievements of those who reject Him. Their "image"—their self-made glory, status, and perceived invincibility—is revealed as worthless and contemptible in His sight, stripped of all its illusory power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "image" (tselem) in this context refers not to a physical idol but to the outward appearance, the false facade of power, security, and success that the wicked project. It's the illusion they create and live by. God will "despise" (bazah) it, meaning He will hold it in contempt, render it insignificant, and expose its utter worthlessness and unreality.

Related Scriptures

The concept of the wicked's fleeting prosperity is a recurring theme in Scripture. Similar to how a dream vanishes, Job 20:8 states that the wicked "shall flee away as a dream". The ultimate manifestation of God "awakening" to judge is a theme explored in prophecies of the Day of the Lord, where the wicked will be consumed, as when Malachi 4:1 speaks of the day that "shall burn as an oven". This verse also resonates with the broader message of Psalm 37:35-36, which speaks of seeing the wicked in great power and then looking again and finding them gone.

Practical Application

Psalms 73:20 offers profound comfort and correction for believers today. It reminds us not to be envious or dismayed by the temporary success or apparent immunity of the ungodly. What seems real and powerful in this world is often an illusion that will ultimately vanish in the light of God's truth and judgment. It encourages patience, trust in divine timing, and a focus on eternal truths and God's unwavering character rather than on the fleeting, deceptive realities of this temporal world. Our hope and security are not in earthly prosperity or power, but in the enduring presence and justice of the Lord.