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Psalm 37:20
ESV But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish — like smoke they vanish away.
NIV But the wicked will perish: Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
NASB But the wicked will perish; And the enemies of the Lord will be like the glory of the pastures, They vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
CSB But the wicked will perish; the Lord’s enemies, like the glory of the pastures, will fade away— they will fade away like smoke.
NLT But the wicked will die. The Lord’s enemies are like flowers in a field — they will disappear like smoke.
KJV 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.
NKJV But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

What does Psalm 37:20 mean?

God not only cares for those who love Him (Psalm 37:3–6), He will also punish their wicked enemies. This verse makes it clear that depraved and evil people are not only the enemies of the Lord's people, but they are also the enemies of the Lord Himself. Nothing touches the Lord's people that does not also touch Him. A direct reference to this connection can be found in the New Testament. When, on the road to Damascus, the Lord confronted Saul of Tarsus, the bloodthirsty persecutor of believers, he asked, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4).

This statement also notes that the enemies of God will suffer death and judgment for their sin. They will vanish away like the beautiful flowers of the field (1 Peter 1:24) and like smoke (Revelation 14:11). Israel's rainy season causes the flowers of the field to spring up and blossom, but soon the strong heat of day causes them to wilt. Therefore, the flowers are short-lived. The Lord's people were familiar with smoke that arose from the altar on which lambs were sacrificed. It arose from the altar and quickly vanished.
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Context Summary
Psalm 37:12–20 continues David's discussion of the differences between the wicked and the righteous. Although the wicked seem to prosper and violently oppose the righteous, the righteous can trust the Lord to care for them. For those who honor God, whatever little they have is better than the abundance of wicked people. Believers have the Lord and will inherit good, eternal things. The wicked have nothing to look forward to in eternity other than condemnation.
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Chapter Summary
In this psalm, David contrasts the way God protects and saves His people, contrasted with the ruin which awaits the wicked. Much of this seems to be based on David's own experiences (Psalm 37:25, 35). As with many other passages in Psalms and Proverbs, this passage encourages godly wisdom. Those who reject God and His ways can expect uncertainty on earth and disaster in eternity.
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