Psalm 1/Notes/Lexical.V. 1.857370

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search

The word "sinful people" (חַטָּאִים, see also v. 5b) is partially synonymous with the previous term "wicked people" (רְשָׁעִים). Whereas the word "wicked" (רְשָׁעִים) places the emphasis on the resultant state of guilt that characterizes those who live contrary to God's requirements, the word "sinful" (חַטָּאִים) places the emphasis on "the pattern of actions" that leads to such guilt.[1] "The difference of nuance between רשעים and חטאים is perhaps similar to that of the person convicted of a single theft compared with a career criminal. In the psalms, however, these two terms are often synonymous."[2]

  1. ↑ SDBH. "The nominal pattern of חַ֭טָּאִים (sinners) signifies an occupation or a repeated action" (Waltke 2010, 134; cf. IBHS, p. 89, P. 5.4a).
  2. ↑ Wilson 2002, 95.