Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 1:4

"The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." — Psalms 1:4 (ASV)

The ungodly are not so—literally, “Not so the wicked.” For the word ungodly, see the notes at (Psalms 1:1). The statement that the “wicked are not so” is a general statement equally applicable to their character and destiny, though the mind of the psalm's author is fixed immediately and particularly on the difference in their destiny, without specifying anything particular about their character. It is as true, however, that the ungodly do walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, and sit in the seat of the scornful, as it is that the righteous do not. It is as true that they do not delight in the law of the Lord, as it is that the righteous do. And it is as true that the wicked are not like a tree planted by the channels of water, as it is that the righteous are.

This passage, therefore, can be used to show the character of the ungodly. In applying it this way, what was previously negative concerning the righteous becomes positive concerning the wicked, and what was positive becomes negative. Thus it is true:

• That the wicked do walk in the counsel of the ungodly; do stand in the way of sinners; do sit in the seat of the scornful;

• That they do not delight in the law of the Lord, or meditate on his word; and

• That they are not like a tree planted by the waters, that is green and beautiful and fruitful.

Both in character and in destiny, the ungodly differ from the righteous. The following part of the verse shows that, while the general truth was in the writer's mind, the particular thing on which his attention was fixed was his condition in life—his destiny—as something that could not be compared with a green and fruitful tree, but which suggested a very different image.

But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away—when the wheat was winnowed. This, in Eastern countries, was commonly performed in the open field, usually on an eminence, and where there was a strong wind. The operation was performed, as it is now in our country when a fan or fanning-mill cannot be obtained, by throwing up the threshed grain with a shovel; the wind scatters the chaff, while the grain falls to the ground. See the notes at (Matthew 3:12).

This very naturally and appropriately provided an illustration of the destiny of the wicked. Compared with the righteous, they were like the worthless chaff driven away by the wind. The image is often found in the Scriptures (see note on Job 21:18; see note on Isaiah 17:13). (Isaiah 29:5; Isaiah 41:15; Daniel 2:35; Hosea 13:3). The idea here is that the wicked are in no respect like the green and fruitful tree referred to in (Psalms 1:3). They are not like a tree in any respect. They are not even like a decaying tree, a barren tree, a dead tree, for any of these would suggest some idea of stability or permanence. They are like dry and worthless chaff driven off by the wind, as of no value to the farmer—a substance that he is anxious only to separate completely from his grain and to get out of his way.

Therefore, the idea suggested is that of intrinsic worthlessness. It will be, among other reasons, on this account that the wicked will be driven away—because they are worthless in God's universe, worthless for all the purposes for which humanity was made. At the same time, however, there may be an implied contrast between that chaff and the useful grain that the farmer aims to secure.