| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the verb nasu {נָ֣סוּ | nā-sû} establishing unexpected flight, followed by the existential-negative phrase ve-ein-rodef {וְאֵין־רֹדֵף | wə-ʾēn rō-ḏêp̄} ‘and there is no one pursuing,’ which emphasizes irrational fear. The noun rasha {רָשָׁ֑ע | rā-šāʿ} functions generically to denote the wicked, while the adversative vav introduces a contrast with ve-tsaddiqim {וְצַדִּיקִים | wə-ṣad-dî-qîm} ‘but the righteous ones.’ The comparative particle ki {כִּ | kî} with kephir {כִּכְפִ֥יר | kĕ-pîr} ‘young lion’ creates a vivid simile of boldness. The imperfect yivtach {יִבְטָֽח | yib-ṭāḥ} is grammatically singular but rendered in English plurally as ‘are confident’ to reflect collective assurance among the righteous. |