John Trapp on Psalms 1:4

Verſ. 4. The ungodly are not ſo] Not like any ſuch tree afore deſcribed, but rather like the Cypreſs-tree, which the more it is watered, is the leſs fruitful: or like the Cyparit-tree, whereof Pliny writeth, that it is good for nothing, no not for ſhew, ſhadow, or ſmell. Saint Jude ſaith, They are trees indeed, but ſuch as are twice dead, pulled up by the roots, verſ. 12. Twice dead they are ſaid to be, 1. Becauſe a Spiritual death is ſo great a death, that it may well go for two. 2 Becauſe thoſe ungodly ones were dead, both in regard of fruit and leaves, truth of grace, and any outward actings of grace. Their fruit, if any, is but Hedge-fruit, their leaves of formal profeſſion wither, and come to nothing; if they proſper in the World, (as Sigonius obſerveth of Pope Zachary that he dyed, Rebus non tàm piè quàm proſperè geſtis, Not over-pious, and yet every proſperous) it is that they may be cut down for ever, Pſal. 37.2. ſuch a temporary proſperity. Plus deceptionis habet quàm delectationis, ſaith Lactantius, is more deceitful than delightful, and is therefore well called by Bernard, Miſericordia omni indignatione crudelior, a gift-leſs gift, &c.

But are like the chaff] Not ſo they are, but much worſe in many reſpects, as it is fit they ſhould be. God will ſurely ſet a difference, Mal. 3. ult. See the note there. A profane Souldier at the ſiege of a Town, paſſing a place of danger was heard ſwearing, and when one that ſtood by warned him, ſaying, Fellow Souldier, do not Swear, the bullets fly; he anſwered, They that ſwear come off as well as they that pray: But what came of it? Soon after a Shot hit him, and down he fell. The wicked is (as chaff) driven away in his wickedneſs: but the righteous hath hope in his death, Prov. 14.32. The word here rendred Chaff, is Palea tenuiſſima & minutiſſimè contrita, chaft beaten to duſt, and therefore good for nothing, but apt to be whiffled up and down with every wind of Doctrine, with every puff of temptation. A good man is, as a tree, ſtedfaſt, and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. ult. An evil man as chaff, light and worthleſs, Religionem habens Ephemeram, conſtant in nothing ſo much as in his inconſtancy, ſerves God by fits and ſtarts, flies in his face when afflicted, as chaff doth in the face of the Winnower; whiles the weightier Corn falls low at his feet. See Job 21.18. [illegible: 1 word] ſteris. trent. Pſal. 55.5. Hoſ. 13.3. Mat. 3.12. with the notes.