Psalms 11

1 For the leader. Of David. In the Lord I take refuge. How can you tell me to flee like a bird to the mountains?

For the chief musician. A psalm of David. I take refuge in Yahweh; how will you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountain”?

2 “See! The wicked are bending the bow, their arrow is set on the string, to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

For see! The wicked prepare their bows. They make ready their arrows on the strings to shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart.

3 In this tearing down of foundations what good can a good person do?”

For if the foundations are ruined, what can the righteous do?

4 The Lord in his holy temple, the Lord in heaven, enthroned. His eyes watch the world, they see everyone.

Yahweh is in his holy temple; his eyes watch, his eyes examine the children of mankind.

5 The Lord examines the righteous and wicked, and the lover of violence he hates.

Yahweh examines both the righteous and the wicked, but he hates those who love to do violence.

6 On the wicked he rains coals of fire and brimstone, and their drink will be scorching wind.

He rains burning coals and brimstone upon the wicked; a scorching wind will be their portion from his cup!

7 For the Lord is just, and justice he loves; so the upright will see his face.

For Yahweh is righteous, and he loves righteousness; the upright will see his face.