Psalms 11:1-6

1 (10-1) <Unto the end. A psalm to David.> (10-2) In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow.

2 (10-3) For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow: they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.

3 (10-4) For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done?

4 (10-5) The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.

5 (10-6) The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.

6 (10-7) He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone, and storms of winds, 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.