Psalms 11:1-6

1 I put my trust in the LORD put I: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

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

3 The foundations shall be destroyed. What has the righteous done?

4 The LORD is in the temple of his holiness, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.

5 The LORD tries the righteous, but the wicked and he that loves violence his soul hates.

6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, with winds of whirlwinds: this 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.