Psalms 11:2-7

2 For look, the wicked string the bow; they put the[a] arrow on the bowstring to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
4 The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; He examines[b] everyone.
5 The Lord examines the righteous and the wicked. He hates the lover of violence.
6 He will rain burning coals and sulfur[c] on the wicked; a scorching wind will be their portion.[d] [e]
7 For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face.[f]

Psalms 11:2-7 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David. The word "sheminith" is used in the title of Psalm 6:1, and signifies "eighth"; and intends either the eighth note, to which the psalm was sung, or rather the harp of eight chords, to which it was set, as the Targum and Jarchi interpret it. Some Jewish writers {y} understand it of the times of the Messiah; and the Syriac version entitles the psalm, "an accusation of the wicked, and a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah:" and the Arabic version says, it is concerning the end of the world, which shall be in the eighth day; and concerning the coming of the Messiah: but Arnobius interprets it of the Lord's day.

{y} Sepher Lekach Shechachah apud Caphtor, fol. 64. 1. & Ceseph Misnah in Maimon. Hilch. Teshuvah, c. 9.

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. Lit their
  • [b]. Lit His eyelids examine
  • [c]. Sym; MT reads rain snares, fire; the difference between the 2 Hb words is 1 letter
  • [d]. Lit be the portion of their cup
  • [e]. Ezk 38:22; Rv 21:8
  • [f]. Ps 17:15; Jb 19:25-26
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