Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase [them].

Let them be as chaff {H4671} before {H6440} the wind {H7307}: and let the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} chase {H1760} them.

May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of ADONAI to drive them on.

May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away.

Let them be as chaff before the wind, And the angel of Jehovah drivingthemon.

Context

Psalm 35 is a fervent prayer by David, crying out to God for deliverance from his enemies who are unjustly persecuting him and seeking his ruin. Despite David's efforts to show them kindness and compassion, they have returned evil for good. This particular verse, Psalms 35:5, is part of an imprecatory section where David appeals to God's divine justice, asking for his adversaries to be defeated and dispersed.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Vindication: David trusts that God, as the ultimate Judge, will intervene on his behalf and execute justice against those who wrongly accuse and attack him. His prayer is not for personal vengeance but for God's righteous judgment to prevail.
  • The Futility of the Wicked: The imagery of "chaff before the wind" powerfully illustrates the ultimate powerlessness and instability of those who oppose God and His chosen ones. Just as chaff is light, worthless, and easily scattered, so too will the wicked be unable to stand against divine power. This metaphor is also found in Psalm 1:4 and Job 21:18.
  • Active Divine Intervention: The phrase "let the angel of the LORD chase them" signifies God's direct and active involvement in pursuing and defeating His enemies. The "angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: mal'akh Yahweh) often represents a manifestation of God Himself or a powerful divine messenger acting on His behalf, demonstrating irresistible power and authority, as seen in instances like 2 Kings 19:35.

Linguistic Insights

The term "chaff" (Hebrew: mots) refers to the lightweight husks separated from grain during the winnowing process. It is a potent biblical symbol for worthlessness, instability, and swift dispersal, often used to describe the fate of the ungodly. The imagery emphasizes that the enemies, despite their present strength, are ultimately insignificant and will be easily blown away by God's judgment.

Reflection and Application

While this psalm contains strong language, it reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and justice. For believers today, this verse offers several insights:

  • Trust in God's Justice: When facing injustice or opposition, we are called to commit our cause to God, trusting that He sees all and will ultimately bring about righteousness. We are not to take vengeance ourselves, but to allow God to be the Judge, as echoed in Romans 12:19.
  • The Certainty of God's Judgment: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that those who persistently oppose God and His righteous ways will ultimately face His inescapable judgment. Their power and schemes are temporary and futile compared to God's eternal authority.
  • God's Active Defense: The "angel of the LORD" chasing enemies highlights God's active role in protecting His people and bringing about their deliverance. It assures us that God is not passive but actively involved in the affairs of humanity, defending the oppressed and vindicating the righteous.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Job 21:18

    They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

  • Isaiah 29:5

    Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones [shall be] as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

  • Isaiah 17:13

    The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

  • Hosea 13:3

    Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

  • Acts 12:23

    And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

  • Psalms 1:4

    ¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

  • Isaiah 37:36

    Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

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