Psalm 1/Notes/Lexical.V. 6.56193

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The final word of the psalm, will come to an end (תֹּאבֵד),[1] refers to a "process by which an event comes to an end, usually under unfavorable circumstances."[2] It has also been translated "will perish"[3], "leads to destruction,"[4] "leads to ruin,"[5] "is doomed."[6] Recognizing the future tense of the verb is crucial to understanding the message of the psalm; although it seems like the wicked flourish in the present, their way will come to an end.[7] This word is appropriate as a conclusion to the psalm, not only because it has a sense of finality ("end") but also because it begins with the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet (ת), just as the first word of the psalm began with the first letter of the alphabet (א).[8] "The psalm is as complete as the alphabet - 'from A to Z,' one might say."[9]

  1. ↑ Cf. GWT: "will end."
  2. ↑ SDBH.
  3. ↑ KJV, ESV, NASB.
  4. ↑ NIV, NLT.
  5. ↑ CSB, CEV.
  6. ↑ NEB.
  7. ↑ Cf. LXX: ἀπολεῖται; Jerome (iuxta Hebr.): peribit.
  8. ↑ Cf. Pss 5, 150 and Job 14 for other instances of this phenomenon.
  9. ↑ Seow 2013, 289.