Psalm 1/Sections/Not so the wicked

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search
  • The phrase Not so that begins verse 4 marks a major contrast and division in the psalm.
  • The subject of the psalm changes in verses 4-5 to focus on the wicked people.
    • The full definite article (the) only occurs in the psalm in verses 1 and 4, as a way to poetically introduce the section describing the one who is happy (verses 1-3) and then to introduce the section describing the wicked people (verses 4-5).
    • This usage of the article indicates that the psalmist intended a direct contrast between the happy one and the wicked people. Translators may use similar poetic conventions in the target language to emphasize this contrast.
  • In contrast to the image of a healthy tree in verse 3, the image in verse 4 is of chaff, that is, the dead and worthless part of a grain harvest.
  • The predominant emotion in this section is contempt. This emotion comes from:
    • The image of chaff blown away by the wind (verse 4b)
    • The description of the wicked as those who will not survive in judgment (verse 5a)
    • The description of the wicked as those who will not remain with the righteous (verse 5b).