Psalms 35:5

Psalms 35:5

Verse 5 expands the outcome of divine judgment: "Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them." Chaff, light and easily blown away, symbolizes the fragility and helplessness of the enemies when confronted by God’s power. The imagery of the angel of the LORD adds a supernatural dimension: God’s messengers carry out divine justice, often in dramatic fashion in the Psalms and Hebrew Bible. The Psalmist trusts that God’s intervention will be decisive, displacing the threat with a swift, sweeping action. The verse, while fierce, remains a plea for righteous measure rather than personal vengeance, illustrating a robust trust in God’s justice.

This verse reinforces the biblical motif that God’s justice realigns the moral order. Chaff before the wind is a vivid metaphor for how human plans fail in the face of divine power. The angel of the LORD embodies God’s care for the afflicted and execution of judgment. Theologically, it foregrounds divine sovereignty over human affairs and the ultimate insufficiency of evil schemes. It resonates with New Testament themes of God’s ultimate defeat of sin and evil, and with the reality that believers live under God’s protection even amid fierce opposition.

When persecution or manipulation persists, trust that God can and will act to restore balance. Practical steps: preserve your integrity, keep a transparent account of events, and pursue lawful, ethical avenues for redress. Do not retaliate in kind, but leave room for God to work in His timing. Use the image of chaff to remind yourself that fleeting schemes cannot stand before the Lord. Pray for the “angel of the LORD” to guard and guide, asking God to turn the impelling force of evil into their own undoing. In your community, offer prayers for those who oppose you, seeking reconciliation and justice rather than victory at any cost.

Cross-References: Psalm 37:13; Psalm 59:5; Isaiah 40:24; Daniel 2:35; 1 Corinthians 15:57