Psalms 11

1 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”?

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 see! The wicked prepare their bows. They make ready their arrows on the strings 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 For if the foundations are ruined, what can the righteous do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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