The word of the Lord is likened to a two edged sword. When the Lord comes again to slay the wicked he will do it with the spoken word. He will command the elements and the angels to destroy the wicked and His word will be obeyed. Therefore, it is literally 'the breath of his lips' which will slay the wicked at His Coming. 'And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God' (Rev 19:15). This harsh judgment upon the wicked is contrasted to the loving care He will give to the righteous in that day, 'with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.'