Psalms 37:20 - Exposition

But the wicked shall perish (comp. Psalms 37:2 , Psalms 37:9 , Psalms 37:10 , Psalms 37:15 , Psalms 37:36 ); literally, for the wicked shall perish. The happiness of the righteous cannot be complete until the wicked are removed out of their way; since, so long as they continue in the world, they will be ever vexing the righteous and troubling them ( Psalms 56:1 ). And the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs . So, many of the old commentators, as Aquila, Kimchi, and others; and among moderns, Rosenmuller, and Professor Alexander. But the bulk of recent critics translate, as the excellency of the pastures (Hupfeld, Kay, Hengstenberg, Canon Cook, Cheyne, Revised Version); i.e. the rich herbage which is burnt up by the heat of summer (comp. Psalms 37:2 ). Both translations seem to be tenable; but the latter is perhaps preferable, since the consumption of the fat of lambs upon the altar is connected with the idea, not of rejection, but of acceptance. Into smoke shall they consume away (comp. Psalms 102:3 ).