Psalms 11:2

2 For lo! sinners have bent a bow; they have made ready their arrows in an arrow case; that they shoot in darkness the rightful men in heart. (For lo! the sinners have bent their bows; and they have placed their arrows in their arrow cases; so that they can shoot in the dark those with an upright heart.)

Psalms 11:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 11:2

For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow
Are devising mischief, and making preparations to accomplish it;

they make ready their arrow upon the string;
of the bow, and are just about to execute their wicked designs;

that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart;
such as David, and those that were with him, were; they were men whose hearts were upright before God, and were of upright conversations before men, and so became the butt of the malice and resentment of wicked men; against these they formed evil purposes, delivered out bitter words, which were like sharp arrows of the mighty; threatened them with ruin and destruction, and took methods to bring about their designs and make good their words, in the most private and secret manner. Hence some of David's friends thought it most advisable for him to make his escape; adding,

Psalms 11:2 In-Context

1 To the victory, [the psalm] of David. I trust in the Lord; how say ye to my soul, Pass thou over into the hill, as a sparrow doeth? (To victory, the song of David. I trust in the Lord; how say ye to me, Fly thou over to the mountains, like a sparrow doeth?)

2 For lo! sinners have bent a bow; they have made ready their arrows in an arrow case; that they shoot in darkness the rightful men in heart. (For lo! the sinners have bent their bows; and they have placed their arrows in their arrow cases; so that they can shoot in the dark those with an upright heart.)

3 For they have destroyed, whom thou hast made perfect; but what did the rightful man? (For they shall destroy, what thou hast made good; but what can the upright do?)

4 The Lord is in his holy temple; he is Lord, his seat is in heaven. His eyes behold on the poor man; his eyelids ask the sons of men. (The Lord is in his holy Temple; he is the Lord, his throne is in heaven. He looketh upon the poor; he assayeth the sons and daughters of men.)

5 The Lord asketh a just man, and an unfaithful man; but he, that loveth wickedness, hateth his soul. (The Lord assayeth the righteous, and the unrighteous alike; and with all his soul, he hateth those who love wickedness.)