Old Testament

Psalm 11
Psalm 11
Faith, Not Flight
For the choir director. By David.
The Fear of the Fainthearted
1In the Lord I take refuge.
How can you say to my soul:
“Flee to your mountain like a bird.
2Look! The wicked bend their bow.
They set their arrow against the string
to shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart.
3When the foundations are being torn down,
what can the righteous do?”
David's Answer
4The Lord is in his holy temple.
The Lord is on his throne in heaven.
His eyes observe.
He focuses[] on the children of Adam.[]
5The Lord is righteous.
He examines the wicked.
He really hates[] those who love violence.
6On the wicked he will rain down fiery coals and sulfur.[]
A scorching wind will be the cup given to them.
7Indeed, the Lord is righteous. He loves righteousness.
The upright will view his face.

Footnotes

  • 11:4 Literally his eyelids test
  • 11:4 Or sons of man, that is, all mankind
  • 11:5 Literally his soul hates
  • 11:6 The Hebrew text reads snares, fire, and sulfur. The translation follows one Greek version, which inverts two letters in one Hebrew word, changing snares to fiery coals.