Psalms 68:2

2 Let them be like smoke before the driving wind; as wax turning soft before the fire, so let them come to an end before the power of God.

Psalms 68:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, so drive [them] away
This both describes the character of wicked men, Christ's enemies; as their darkness and ignorance, their will worship and superstition, and their detestableness to God, ( Revelation 9:2 ) ( Isaiah 65:5 ) ; and the manner of their destruction; which is as easily brought about as smoke is driven by the wind, and is as irretrievable, like smoke that vanisheth into air ^F15; see ( Psalms 37:20 ) ( Isaiah 51:6 ) ;

as wax melteth before fire;
whereby its consistency, form, and strength, are lost. Respect may be had, both in this and the foregoing metaphor, to the fire of, divine wrath, and the smoke of eternal torments; since it follows:

[so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God;
the appearance of Christ, either in his awful dispensation against the Jews, or in the last judgment; when the wicked shall not be able to stand before his face, but shall call to the rocks and mountains to hide them from him; and when they shall be bid to depart from him, and shall be punished with everlasting destruction in soul and body, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 "----et tenues fugit, ceu fumus in auras". Virgil. Aeneid. 5. prope finem.

Psalms 68:2 In-Context

1 Let God be seen, and let his haters be put to flight; let those who are against him be turned back before him.

2 Let them be like smoke before the driving wind; as wax turning soft before the fire, so let them come to an end before the power of God.

3 But let the upright be glad; let them have delight before God; let them be full of joy.

4 Make songs to God, make songs of praise to his name; make a way for him who comes through the waste lands; his name is Jah; be glad before him.

5 A father to those who have no father, a judge of the widows, is God in his holy place.