Connect Psalm 35:5 with other scriptures on God's protection of the righteous. Psalm 35:5 — A Picture of Divine Defense “May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away.” • David calls on God to scatter his enemies “like chaff,” the worthless husks blown off grain. • The “angel of the LORD” is not passive; He actively “drives them away.” The righteous are preserved because God Himself intervenes. Chaff in the Wind — The Fate of the Wicked • Psalm 1:4–6 — “The wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind… but the LORD guards the path of the righteous.” • Job 21:18 — “They are like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a storm.” • Isaiah 17:13 — Nations that rage against God are “chaff on the mountains, whirling before the wind.” Together these passages underline a consistent theme: those who oppose God cannot stand; their resistance is as weightless as husks on a threshing floor. The Angel of the LORD — God’s Personal Shield Scripture repeatedly shows the Angel of the LORD stepping in for God’s people: • Exodus 14:19 — The Angel moves between Israel and Egypt, shielding the fleeing nation. • 2 Kings 19:35 — One angel strikes down the Assyrian army, ending the siege of Jerusalem. • Daniel 6:22 — “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.” The same divine messenger who scattered David’s foes still guards those who belong to the LORD. Parallel Promises of Protection Old and New Testaments echo Psalm 35:5, assuring believers that God defends the righteous while confounding their adversaries. • Psalm 34:7 — “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.” • Psalm 91:9–11 — “Because you have made the LORD your dwelling… He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” • Proverbs 2:7–8 — “He is a shield to those who walk with integrity… guarding the paths of justice.” • Isaiah 54:17 — “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” • Nahum 1:7 — “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.” • Zechariah 2:5 — “I will be a wall of fire around her… and I will be the glory within her.” • 2 Thessalonians 3:3 — “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” • 1 Peter 1:5 — Believers “are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Living Under Divine Protection • The righteous do not rely on their own strength; they stand because God stands with them. • Enemies, hardships, and spiritual forces array themselves, yet God’s verdict remains: “driven away,” “scattered,” “no weapon will prosper.” • Every promise rests on the unchanging character of the LORD who actively shields, delivers, and vindicates His people. Holding Fast to the Promise Psalm 35:5 anchors us in the certainty that God’s protection is not theoretical. Just as chaff cannot resist the wind, so opposition cannot overturn His safeguarding hand. By trusting His Word, believers walk in confidence, knowing the same Angel of the LORD who defended David is still on assignment today. |
    |