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Psalm 11

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
    “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
The wicked are stringing their bows
    and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
    at those whose hearts are right.
The foundations of law and order have collapsed.
    What can the righteous do?”

But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
    the Lord still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
    examining every person on earth.
The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
    He hates those who love violence.
He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
    punishing them with scorching winds.
For the righteous Lord loves justice.
    The virtuous will see his face.

To the Director: A Davidic Song.[a]

Confident Trust in God

11 I take refuge in the Lord.
    So how can you say to me,
        “Flee like a bird to the mountains.”?
Look, the wicked have bent their bow
    and placed their arrow[b] on the string,[c]
        to shoot from the darkness[d] at the upright in heart.
When the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?

The Lord is in his holy Temple;
    the Lord’s throne is in the heavens.
His eyes see,
    his glance[e] examines humanity.[f]
The Lord examines the righteous,
    but the wicked and those who love violence, he hates.
He rains on the wicked burning coals and sulfur;
    a scorching wind is their destiny.[g]
Indeed, the Lord is righteous;
    he loves righteousness;
        the upright will see him face-to-face.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 11:1 The Heb. lacks A song
  2. Psalm 11:2 So MT DSS 5/6HevPs; DSS 4QCatena A LXX read arrows
  3. Psalm 11:2 So MT; LXX reads arrows for the quiver
  4. Psalm 11:2 So MT DSS; LXX reads shoot on a moonless night
  5. Psalm 11:4 Lit. eyelids
  6. Psalm 11:4 Lit. examines the children of men
  7. Psalm 11:6 Lit. the portion of their cup