Psalms 73:20 Meaning and Explanation
“As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The wicked's entire existence will be dismissed as an illusion when God arises.
The Context of Psalms 73:20
The ultimate dispossession: the wicked's legacy will be erased like a dream.
What Does Psalms 73:20 Mean?
A haunting image: all the wicked's ambition, wealth, and power will dissolve like a forgotten dream upon waking. To God, their grandiose image will be contemptible—unworthy of serious regard.
The wicked spent their lives crafting an impressive image. But when God 'awakens'—when divine justice moves—that image will be revealed as ephemeral, fabricated, unreal. They will be despised for the illusion they are.
Psalms 73:20 in the Original Language
צֶלֶם (tselem), 'image'—not their genuine self but their constructed self, the false idol they built.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 73:20
What does Psalms 73:20 mean?
The wicked's entire existence will be dismissed as an illusion when God arises.
What is the context of Psalms 73:20?
The ultimate dispossession: the wicked's legacy will be erased like a dream.