Psalms 1:4

1:4 Not so with the wicked!

Instead they are like wind-driven chaff.

Psalms 35:5

35:5 May they be like wind-driven chaff,

as the Lord’s angel attacks them!


tn Here the Hebrew expression כִּי־אִם (ki-im, “instead,” cf. v. 2) introduces a contrast between the prosperity of the godly depicted in v. 3 and the destiny of the wicked described in v. 4.

tn Heb “[they are] like the chaff which [the] wind blows about.” The Hebrew imperfect verbal form draws attention to the typical nature of the action described.

sn Wind-driven chaff. In contrast to the well-rooted and productive tree described in v. 3, the wicked are like a dried up plant that has no root system and is blown away by the wind. The simile describes the destiny of the wicked (see vv. 5-6).

tn The prefixed verbal form is taken as a jussive. See v. 4.

sn See the mention of the Lord’s angel in Ps 34:7.

tn Heb “as the Lord’s angel pushes [them].”