Psalms 11:1-6

1 {To the chief Musician. [A Psalm] of David.} In Jehovah have I put my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain?

2 For behold, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may in darkness shoot at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?

4 Jehovah [is] in the temple of his holiness; Jehovah, -- his throne is in the heavens: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.

5 Jehovah trieth the righteous one; but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone; and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

Psalms 11:1-6 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

• [a]. Or 'Flee, ye birds.'
• [b]. Or 'palace;' and so Ps. 18.6; 45.8,15, &c.
• [c]. See Note, Ps. 9.5: here the singular.
• [d]. Or 'snares: fire and brimstone and a scorching wind shall be.'