Psalm 145:20 kjv
The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Psalm 145:20 nkjv
The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.
Psalm 145:20 niv
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:20 esv
The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:20 nlt
The LORD protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked.
Psalm 145 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 37:28 | For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints... preserved forever. | God's eternal preservation of the righteous. |
| Psa 97:10 | The Lord loves those who hate evil; he preserves the lives of his saints... | God's protection of the devout who abhor evil. |
| Psa 121:7-8 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in... | God's comprehensive, lifelong guardianship. |
| Prov 2:8 | guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. | God's watchful care over His upright ones. |
| 1 Pet 1:5 | who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed... | Divine protection for believers unto salvation. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling... | God's ability to preserve His people from falling. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's sovereign arrangement of circumstances for good for those who love Him. |
| John 14:21 | Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father... | The definition of loving God and the reciprocal love of the Father. |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry. | God's attentiveness and favor toward the righteous. |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the Lord your God is God... keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love him... | God's covenant faithfulness to those who love Him. |
| Neh 1:5 | O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments! | God's covenant keeping nature with obedient lovers. |
| Psa 9:5 | You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish... | God's judgment leading to the destruction of the wicked. |
| Psa 37:9 | For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. | Contrast: Wicked cut off, righteous inherit. |
| Psa 37:10 | In just a little while, the wicked will be no more... | The fleeting nature and eventual end of the wicked. |
| Psa 37:20 | But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the meadows; they vanish... | The complete perishing and disappearance of the wicked. |
| Psa 73:27 | For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. | Those distant from God will be destroyed. |
| 2 Thes 1:9 | They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord... | Eternal destruction for those who do not know God or obey the Gospel. |
| Mat 25:41 | Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire...' | Christ's judgment upon the wicked. |
| Rev 20:14-15 | Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. | Final judgment and eternal destruction of the wicked. |
| Mal 4:1 | "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... | The eschatological judgment of the wicked. |
| Psa 1:6 | For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | The stark contrast between the two destinies. |
| 2 Pet 3:7 | ...by the same word the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. | The ultimate fiery destruction of the ungodly at the end of time. |
| Luke 13:3 | "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." | The call to repentance to avoid perishing. |
Psalm 145 verses
Psalm 145 20 Meaning
Psalm 145:20 profoundly articulates God's character as both preserver and judge. It declares that the LORD, the covenant God, actively safeguards and sustains all who genuinely love Him. In sharp contrast, it states that He will utterly destroy all the wicked. This verse highlights the righteous distinction God makes between those who align themselves with His ways through love and obedience, and those who rebel against Him through wickedness, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His people and His just removal of evil from His creation.
Psalm 145 20 Context
Psalm 145:20 serves as a crucial theological conclusion within Psalm 145, an acrostic hymn of praise composed by King David. The psalm extensively glorifies the LORD's character, detailing His greatness, mighty acts, enduring compassion, abounding goodness, faithfulness, and providential care for all His creation (vv. 1-19). Specifically, verses 13-19 speak of God's universal kingship, His support for the falling, His opening hand to satisfy the living, and His nearness to all who call on Him in truth. Verse 20, therefore, summarizes the practical implications of God's just and righteous reign: His favor and preservation are exclusively for "all who love Him," while His holy wrath is justly executed upon "all the wicked." Historically and culturally, this verse reinforces the ancient Israelite understanding of covenant blessings and curses (as found in Deut 28), emphasizing that obedience rooted in love leads to life and security under YHWH, whereas rebellion leads to destruction. It provides a direct theological counter-point to pagan beliefs in indifferent or capricious deities, affirming YHWH as the consistent and morally righteous judge over all.
Psalm 145 20 Word analysis
- The LORD (יהוה - YHWH/Yahweh): This refers to God's personal, covenant name, revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15). It signifies God's self-existence, eternal presence, and His active role as the faithful God who interacts with His creation, specifically His covenant people. It highlights His unchanging and reliable character in both preserving and judging.
- preserves (שֹׁמֵר - shomer): This Hebrew verb means to guard, keep, protect, watch over, or maintain. It implies diligent and attentive care, active vigilance, and careful custody. God is not passive but actively involved in safeguarding those He loves, ensuring their well-being and security.
- all who love him (כָּל־אֹהֲבָיו - kol ohavav): "All" emphasizes the comprehensiveness of this promise. "Love him" (from אָהַב - ahav) denotes more than just emotional affection; it signifies devotion, loyalty, and obedience. Biblical love for God is demonstrated through covenant faithfulness and adherence to His commands (John 14:15, 1 John 5:3). This refers to a committed, personal relationship with God.
- but (וְאֵת - ve'et): This conjunction introduces a strong contrast, marking a decisive shift from the Lord's preserving action to His destructive one.
- all the wicked (כָּל־הָרְשָׁעִים - kol haraša'im): "All" again indicates universal application within this category. "The wicked" (from רָשָׁע - rasha) refers to those who are guilty, unrighteous, defiant towards God, and who practice evil. This encompasses not merely accidental wrongdoing but a consistent bent of heart away from God and His righteous standards. Their lifestyle and disposition are characterized by a disregard for divine law and often by injustice toward others.
- he will destroy (יַשְׁמִיד - yashmid): This Hebrew verb means to annihilate, utterly remove, wipe out, make extinct, or put an end to. It denotes a decisive and complete cessation. God's judgment upon the wicked is not temporary setback but a definitive and ultimate termination of their existence as "wicked" – whether referring to their power, influence, or ultimate being, ensuring the eradication of evil from His kingdom.
Words-group analysis:
- "The LORD preserves all who love him": This phrase emphasizes God's steadfast loyalty and protective care towards His devoted followers. It underlines a secure relationship founded on reciprocal love and faithfulness, promising divine vigilance and safeguarding in all aspects of life. This showcases God's nurturing and upholding character.
- "but all the wicked he will destroy": This contrasting phrase powerfully highlights God's unyielding justice and holiness. It assures that wickedness will not ultimately triumph or go unpunished. It underscores God's moral governance of the universe, where evil is decisively purged, affirming His absolute authority and righteous judgment over all who oppose Him.
Psalm 145 20 Bonus section
- This verse establishes a foundational biblical truth regarding the distinct destinies of the righteous and the wicked, underscoring the spiritual law of sowing and reaping, eternally applied by a righteous God.
- It complements the comprehensive praise of God in Psalm 145 by presenting the outworking of His universal dominion – a dominion characterized by both grace and judgment.
- The strong contrast serves as a call to introspection, prompting individuals to examine their relationship with God and to align their hearts with His righteous ways, knowing the profound implications of their choice.
- The affirmation of God's active preservation is a source of immense comfort for believers facing trials, reinforcing their security in Him regardless of outward circumstances.
- It offers insight into the "fear of the Lord," which is not dread but a profound reverence that acknowledges both His benevolence to His own and His severe justice toward the disobedient.
Psalm 145 20 Commentary
Psalm 145:20 offers a potent synthesis of divine attributes: God's unfailing love and His uncompromising justice. It provides reassurance for the righteous and a sobering warning for the wicked. For those who genuinely love the LORD, marked by obedience and heartfelt devotion, His promise of preservation stands firm. This preservation is holistic, encompassing protection for their souls, lives, and ultimate destiny against the destructive forces of evil and the consequences of sin. It speaks of divine provision, guidance, and ultimate vindication, ensuring that no true harm can befall those in covenant with Him. Conversely, the verse starkly declares God's resolute stance against wickedness. The "destruction" of the wicked is a testament to God's holiness, His intolerance for sin, and His commitment to moral order. It signifies the complete eradication of evil's influence and ultimately the final, decisive end of those who persist in active rebellion against Him. This verse powerfully reaffirms that God is both a gracious Redeemer and a just Judge, providing a clear distinction between the blessed future of the faithful and the sure doom of the impenitent. It assures His people that justice will prevail, and that His righteous reign ensures both their well-being and the ultimate eradication of all evil.