Psalms 35:5

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

as the Lord’s angel attacks them!

Psalms 55:20

55:20 He attacks his friends;

he breaks his solemn promises to them.


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].”

sn He. This must refer to the psalmist’s former friend, who was addressed previously in vv. 12-14.

tn Heb “stretches out his hand against.”

tc The form should probably be emended to an active participle (שֹׁלְמָיו, sholÿmayv) from the verbal root שָׁלַם (shalam, “be in a covenant of peace with”). Perhaps the translation “his friends” suggests too intimate a relationship. Another option is to translate, “he attacks those who made agreements with him.”

tn Heb “he violates his covenant.”