Psalms 11:1-6

1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains;

2 for look, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.

5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.

6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur; a 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]. Gk Syr Jerome Tg: Heb [flee to your mountain, O bird]