Psalms 11

1 To the Chief Musician. David’s. In Yahweh, have I sought refuge. How can ye say to my soul, Flee to a mountain like a little bird;

For the music director: A psalm of David. Lord, you are my protection. So how can you tell me, “Fly away to the mountains like a bird”?

2 For lo! the lawless, bend the bow They have fixed their arrow upon the string, To shoot in the darkness at the upright in heart:

Look, the wicked are drawing their bows, loading them with arrows ready to shoot from the shadows at good people.

3 When the pillars are overthrown, What could, a righteous man, do?

When the foundations of society are destroyed, what can those who live right do?

4 Yahweh, is in his holy temple As for Yahweh, in the heavens, is his throne, His eyes, behold—His eyelashes test the sons of men.

The Lord is in his Temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. He keeps a close eye on everyone, watching them carefully.

5 Yahweh, putteth, the righteous, to the test, —But the lawless one and the lover of violence, his soul doth hate.

The Lord examines both those who do right and those who do evil, but he hates those who love violence.

6 He will rain upon the lawless live-coals, Fire and brimstone and a burning wind, are the portion of their cup.

He will make blazing coals and sulfur rain down on the wicked; a scorching wind is what's coming on them.

7 For righteous is Yahweh Righteousness, he loveth, the upright, shall behold his face.

The Lord does what is right, and he loves those who live right. Those who do good will see him face to face.