Psalms 11:2-7

2 See, the bows of the evil-doers are bent, they make ready their arrows on the cord, so that they may send them secretly against the upright in heart.

3 If the bases are broken down, what is the upright man to do?

4 The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's seat is in heaven; his eyes are watching and testing the children of men.

5 The Lord puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but he has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts.

6 On the evil-doer he will send down fire and flames, and a burning wind; with these will their cup be full.

7 For the Lord is upright; he is a lover of righteousness: the upright will see his face.

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.