Psalms 11:5

5 He examines the good and the wicked alike; the lawless he hates with all his heart.

Psalms 11:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 11:5

The Lord trieth the righteous
As gold is tried in the fire, by afflictive providences; hereby he tries their graces, their faith, and patience, their hope, and love, and fear; and, by so doing, expresses his love to them, since this is all for their good: and therefore, when he suffers the wicked to go great lengths in persecuting and distressing them, this should not weaken, their confidence in him; he still loves them, and loves when he rebukes and chastises them;

but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth;
that is, such who live in a course of sin and wickedness, and who not only do injury to the persons, characters, and properties of men, but love it, and delight therein, and also take pleasure in them that do the same: these God has a continued and inward aversion to; sin and wickedness being the abominable thing his righteous soul hates: and he shows his hatred to them, by not chastising them now, as he does his own people, but reserving everlasting punishment for them hereafter; see ( Proverbs 13:24 ) .

Psalms 11:5 In-Context

3 There is nothing a good person can do when everything falls apart."

4 The Lord is in his holy temple; he has his throne in heaven. He watches people everywhere and knows what they are doing.

5 He examines the good and the wicked alike; the lawless he hates with all his heart.

6 He sends down flaming coals and burning sulfur on the wicked; he punishes them with scorching winds.

7 The Lord is righteous and loves good deeds; those who do them will live in his presence.