Psalms 1, Today's Verse is Psalms 1:4

Today we continue our verse by verse look into Psalm 1 by taking a look at Psalms 1:4  You can find the initial overview and observations to Psalm 1, at this link.

And here is where you can find the verse overviews of Psa 1:1-2 and Psa 1:3 

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake!

 

Psalm 1:4

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 

 (Psalms 1:4 ESV)

Observations

• Psa 1:4 is a description of the negatives that the wicked are likely to encounter.  The main character is the wicked man. (although the Hebrew word for wind used in the text also insinuates that God is a main character in this text!)  It is also continues the comparison to  the blessed man by contrasting the wicked to the description of the blessed man in Psa_1:3       The wicked are not permanent as they are eventually blown away. (an abstract expression of time)  It continues the contrast of the wicked and righteous (blessed man).

My Questions:  

 

• None really as this is fairly cut and dry.  The blessed man is the tree with roots who stands firm while the wicked have no roots and are easily blown away and discarded.  Is wind a metaphor for spirit?? (YES)  Related to the parable of the planting seeds??  (YES)  Or the building of the houses? (YES)

Thing emphasized:  

 

• The sinners have no staying power.  They are separated (by the wind)

Things alike:  

• The wicked are LIKE the chaff that is driven away.

Grammatical considerations:  

• ARE.  The wicked are!  Meaning this is what will happen to them.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Wicked:  

• see notes to Psa_1:1

Chaff:

• E Sword concordance search----  Exo 15:7  Job 13:25  Job 21:18  Psa 83:13  Psa 35:5  Isa 17:13  Isa 29:5  Mat 3:12  Luk 3:17 
• Definition----  the fine pieces of grain given to animal as fodder, figuratively indicating what is useless or worthless.  Another thought here is that the wicked are left unprotected from the wind.  Either way chaff indicates something that is very much expendable.

wind:

• E Sword concordance search-----   Gen 8:1  Exo 10:13   Exo 14:21  Exo 15:10  Num 11:31       2Sa 22:11  Job 1:19  Psa 18:10  Psa 35:5  Isa 27:8  Isa 32:2  Isa 41:16  Eze 17:10 
• Definition----  spirit, wind, breath.  The word is often used to refer to the Spirit of God.  (or sometimes God's actions such as in Exo 10:13 or  Gen 8:1  )

drives away:

• E Sword  concordance search----  Psa 68:2  Pro 14:32  Isa 19:7  Hos 13:3 
• definition-----  to drive away or to be driven about.  Blow something away etc.

Other relevant cross references:

• Chaff:  Jer 23:28  Dan 2:35   
• Wind:   Joh 3:8  Eph 4:14   Amo 4:13  Act 2:2 

Summary

• This verse continues contrasting the blessed man and the wicked.  (a main theme of the entire Psalm!)  In Psa_1:3  the blessed man is called a tree planted by water who will yield fruit and prosper.  Now in Psa_1:4  we are told the wicked are not like the blessed man in this respect.  The wicked are like chaff (unneeded, expendable) and are driven away (scattered, discarded) by the wind.  And the particular Hebrew word for wind that was used in the Psalm is used to refer to the Spirit of God!  God Himself will discard the wicked and drive them away.  This is a direct consequence of the wicked NOT delighting in the law (instructions) of the Lord and for NOT meditating on it day and night!  

 

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved."