Psalms 68:2
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
American King James Version (AKJV)
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
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.
Webster's Revision
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
World English Bible
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
English Revised Version (ERV)
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
Definitions for Psalms 68:2
Barnes's Psalms 68:2 Bible Commentary
As smoke is driven away - To wit, by the wind. Smoke - vapor - easily disturbed and moved by the slightest breath of air - represents an object of no stability, or having no power of resistance, and would thus represent the real weakness of the most mighty armies of men as opposed to God.
So drive them away - With the same ease with which smoke is driven by the slightest breeze, so do the enemies of God disappear before his power. Compare the notes at Psalm 1:4.
As wax melteth before the fire - Compare Psalm 22:14. The meaning here is plain. As wax is melted down by fire - losing all its hardness, its firmness, its power of resistance, so must the most mighty armies melt away before God.
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God - That is, those who rise up against him; his enemies. It will be as easy for God to destroy wicked men as it is for fire to melt down wax.