Psalm 11-12

New International Version (NIV)


Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.



1
In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.

2
For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.

3
When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”



4
The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.

5
The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.

6
On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.



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

Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.



1
Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

2
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.



3
May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—

4
those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”



5
“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”

6
And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.



7
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,

8
who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.