Psalms 11:1-6

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.

2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.

5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Psalms 7:1; Psalms 56:11
• 2. S Genesis 14:10
• 3. Psalms 50:11
• 4. S 2 Samuel 22:35
• 5. S Psalms 7:13; S Psalms 58:7
• 6. Psalms 10:8
• 7. S Job 33:3; Psalms 7:10; Psalms 64:3-4
• 8. Psalms 18:15; Psalms 82:5; Isaiah 24:18
• 9. S 1 Kings 8:48; Psalms 18:6; Psalms 27:4; John 2:7; Micah 1:2; Habakkuk 2:20
• 10. S 2 Chronicles 6:18; S Psalms 9:7; Matthew 5:34; Matthew 23:22; S Revelation 4:2; Psalms 103:19
• 11. Proverbs 15:3; Psalms 33:13
• 12. Psalms 33:18; Psalms 66:7; Psalms 34:15-16
• 13. S Deuteronomy 7:13; S Job 23:10; Genesis 22:1; James 1:12
• 14. S Job 28:28; Psalms 5:5; Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 1:14
• 15. S Genesis 19:24; S Revelation 9:17; Ezekiel 38:22
• 16. S Genesis 41:6; S Job 1:19; Jeremiah 4:11-12