Psalms 35:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 35:5 is a fervent prayer by David, appealing to God for divine intervention and justice against his unjust enemies. Through vivid agricultural imagery, the psalmist requests that his adversaries be rendered powerless and scattered like worthless chaff before the wind, and that the "angel of the LORD" actively pursue and defeat them. This verse encapsulates David's profound trust in God's sovereign power to vindicate the righteous and execute inescapable judgment upon the wicked, demonstrating God's active involvement in defending His chosen ones.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 35 is a powerful psalm of lament and imprecation, where David cries out to God for deliverance from relentless and malicious enemies who seek his destruction without cause. The psalm opens with an urgent plea for God to "contend with those who contend with me" and "fight against those who fight against me" ([Psalm 35:1](/psalms/35-1 "Psalm 35:1 - David's Plea for Justice")). Following a description of his enemies' unprovoked hostility and his own compassionate response, David shifts into a series of imprecations from verse 4 onward. Psalms 35:5, specifically, is part of this section where David invokes God's active and decisive judgment against his persecutors, using strong metaphorical language to describe their inevitable downfall and dispersal. It functions as a petition for divine retribution, emphasizing God's role as the ultimate arbiter of justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David's life was frequently marked by periods of intense persecution, whether from King Saul, rebellious factions, or foreign adversaries. This psalm likely reflects such a time of deep distress and betrayal. In ancient Israel, justice was often sought through divine intervention, as the legal system could be imperfect or manipulated. The imagery of "chaff before the wind" draws upon the common agricultural practice of winnowing, where harvested grain was tossed into the air, allowing the heavier kernels to fall while the lighter, worthless husks (chaff) were blown away by the wind. This was a universal symbol of separation, purification, and the swift disposal of the unwanted. The "angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: *mal'akh Yahweh*) was a significant figure in Israelite theology, often representing a direct manifestation of God Himself or a powerful divine messenger acting with God's full authority, indicating an active and irresistible divine presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 35 and the broader Psalter. The primary theme is **Divine Judgment and Vindication**, asserting God's role as the righteous judge who will ultimately intervene on behalf of the oppressed and bring justice upon the wicked. This is not merely a passive observation but an active petition for God to "take hold of shield and buckler" ([Psalm 35:2](/psalms/35-2 "Psalm 35:2 - God as Warrior")) against the enemies. Closely related is the theme of **The Futility of the Wicked**, powerfully illustrated by the "chaff" metaphor, which underscores the ultimate powerlessness and instability of those who oppose God and His chosen ones. Just as chaff is light and easily scattered, so too will the wicked be unable to stand against divine power, a motif echoed in [Psalm 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Wicked are Like Chaff") and [Job 21:18](/job/21-18 "Job 21:18 - The Wicked as Stubble Before the Wind"). Finally, the phrase "let the angel of the LORD chase them" highlights **Active Divine Intervention**, signifying God's direct, personal, and forceful involvement in pursuing and defeating His enemies, demonstrating irresistible power and authority, as seen in instances like [2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes Assyrians").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chaff (Hebrew, _mōṣ_):** This term refers to the lightweight husks separated from grain during the winnowing process. In biblical imagery, *mōṣ* is a potent symbol of worthlessness, instability, and swift dispersal. It represents that which is insubstantial, easily blown away, and destined for destruction. When applied to the wicked, it emphasizes their ultimate insignificance and their inability to withstand God's judgment, despite any temporary power they may wield.
* **Wind (Hebrew, _rūaḥ_):** While literally referring to atmospheric movement, *rūaḥ* in Hebrew can also denote breath, spirit, or even the Spirit of God. In the context of winnowing, it is the force that scatters the chaff. Here, it implies a powerful, irresistible force—often understood as a divine agent—that will sweep away the wicked, demonstrating the ease and completeness of their destruction at God's hand.
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _mal'akh Yahweh_):** This is a significant theological designation in the Old Testament, often denoting a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ or a powerful divine messenger who acts with God's direct authority and presence. The "angel of the LORD" is not merely an ordinary angel but a manifestation of divine power and will, capable of executing judgment and bringing about deliverance. The verb "chase" (Hebrew, _rādaf_) implies an active, relentless pursuit, ensuring that the enemies have no escape from divine retribution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them be as chaff before the wind":** This clause is a powerful imprecation, a prayer for God's judgment to manifest. The imagery draws from the agricultural practice of winnowing, where the worthless husks (chaff) are separated from the valuable grain and scattered by the wind. This signifies the enemies' ultimate worthlessness, instability, and inevitable dispersal and destruction in the face of God's power. It expresses a desire for their plans to come to nothing and for their influence to be utterly removed, leaving no trace.
* **"and let the angel of the LORD chase [them]":** This second clause intensifies the plea for divine intervention. It moves beyond passive dispersal to active, relentless pursuit. The "angel of the LORD" represents God's direct, authoritative, and irresistible power. The verb "chase" implies a forceful, unyielding pursuit, ensuring that the enemies are not merely scattered but actively driven away, pursued, and ultimately defeated by a divine agent. This highlights God's personal and active involvement in defending His people and executing justice.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 35:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in the phrase "Let them be as chaff before the wind," which directly compares the enemies to worthless, easily dispersed husks, vividly illustrating their ultimate powerlessness. This simile also functions as **Symbolism**, where "chaff" becomes a symbol for the wicked and their fleeting existence, contrasting sharply with the enduring nature of the righteous. The entire verse is an example of **Imprecation**, a prayer or curse invoking divine judgment upon enemies, a common feature in the Psalms that expresses a deep trust in God's justice. Furthermore, the mention of the "angel of the LORD" chasing them can be seen as a form of **Anthropomorphism** or **Theophany**, where God's active intervention is depicted through a divine messenger performing a human-like action of pursuit, emphasizing the direct and forceful nature of divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 35:5 profoundly articulates a fundamental aspect of biblical theology: God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active role in the affairs of humanity. It underscores the certainty of divine judgment against those who persistently oppose righteousness and persecute the innocent. While the language is strong, it reflects a deep trust that God is not indifferent to suffering and injustice, but will ultimately vindicate His people and bring an end to evil. This verse reassures believers that their ultimate defense rests with the sovereign Lord, who will scatter the wicked and actively pursue those who stand against His purposes, ensuring that evil does not have the final word.

* [Psalm 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Wicked are Like Chaff")
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord is Slow to Anger but Great in Power")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often marked by injustice, betrayal, and unprovoked hostility, Psalms 35:5 offers a powerful framework for how believers can respond. It calls us not to take vengeance into our own hands, but to commit our cause to God, trusting in His perfect justice and sovereign power. While our New Testament call is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, this psalm provides a legitimate outlet for the deep pain and righteous indignation that arise from injustice. It reminds us that God sees, God knows, and God will act. Our trust should be in His ultimate vindication, knowing that those who oppose God's ways and His people will ultimately prove to be as insubstantial as chaff before His mighty wind of judgment. This gives us comfort and patience, knowing that God is actively involved in defending His own, even when His intervention is not immediately visible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse shape our understanding of God's justice in a world where injustice often seems to prevail?**
* **In what ways are we tempted to seek personal vengeance, and how does this verse redirect us to trust in God's ultimate judgment?**
* **What comfort can we draw from the assurance that God actively defends His people, even through powerful, unseen means like the "angel of the LORD"?**

### FAQ
**Is it appropriate for believers to pray imprecatory psalms like this?**

Answer: Imprecatory psalms, like Psalm 35, express a righteous indignation against evil and a fervent appeal for God's justice. While the New Testament calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), these psalms are not calls for personal vengeance but rather a submission to God's ultimate authority as judge. They acknowledge that only God has the right and power to execute perfect justice. For believers today, these psalms provide an honest outlet for expressing deep pain and a longing for righteousness in a fallen world, while simultaneously trusting that God will bring about justice in His perfect timing and way, ultimately through Christ's return and final judgment ([Revelation 19:11-16](/rev/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Warrior King")). They remind us that vengeance belongs to the Lord ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, Says the Lord")), and we are to yield our desire for retribution to Him.

**Who is the "angel of the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: The "angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: *mal'akh Yahweh*) is a unique and significant figure in the Old Testament, often understood as a special manifestation of God Himself, or a powerful divine agent acting with God's full authority. This figure frequently appears in critical moments of Israelite history, delivering divine messages, executing judgment, and providing deliverance. Examples include the burning bush encounter with Moses ([Exodus 3:2](/exodus/3-2 "Exodus 3:2 - The Angel of the Lord in the Burning Bush")), the call of Gideon ([Judges 6:11-12](/judges/6-11 "Judges 6:11-12 - The Angel of the Lord Appears to Gideon")), and the destruction of the Assyrian army ([2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the Lord Destroys the Assyrian Army")). In Psalms 35:5, the "angel of the LORD" chasing the enemies signifies God's direct, active, and irresistible intervention to pursue, scatter, and defeat those who oppose His people, demonstrating His sovereign power and commitment to justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 35:5, with its imagery of the wicked being scattered like chaff and pursued by the "angel of the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While David's plea was for a temporal deliverance from earthly adversaries, Christ's mission was to deliver humanity from the ultimate enemies: sin, death, and the devil. The "chaff before the wind" imagery foreshadows the utter futility and ultimate destruction of all spiritual forces that oppose God's kingdom. Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, has already triumphed over these powers, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He is the true "Angel of the LORD," the divine manifestation of God who actively pursues and defeats all forms of evil. His first coming inaugurated the scattering of the powers of darkness, and His second coming will complete it, as He returns as the righteous judge to separate the wheat from the chaff, casting every enemy into eternal judgment ([Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - John the Baptist on Christ's Winnowing Fork"); [Revelation 19:11-16](/rev/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Warrior King Returns")). Thus, David's prayer for vindication finds its perfect answer in Christ, who not only delivers His people but also perfectly executes God's justice against all unrighteousness, ensuring that no enemy can stand before Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.