Psalm 11 2

Psalm 11:2 kjv

For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

Psalm 11:2 nkjv

For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

Psalm 11:2 niv

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

Psalm 11:2 esv

for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

Psalm 11:2 nlt

The wicked are stringing their bows
and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
at those whose hearts are right.

Psalm 11 verses

Psalm 11 2 Meaning

Psalm 11:2 vividly portrays the sinister intentions of the wicked, depicting them as stealthily preparing their instruments of destruction—bow and arrow—to launch a sudden, hidden, and treacherous assault against those who live righteously before God. It describes a malicious, deliberate plot, executed under the cover of secrecy, specifically aimed at undermining and harming individuals whose hearts are aligned with God's truth and justice.

Psalm 11 2 Context

Psalm 11:2 appears within a psalm where David, the author, expresses profound trust in the Lord despite urgent advice from fearful friends to flee from his persecutors. The preceding verse (11:1) establishes David's unwavering refuge in God, directly contradicting the counsel to "flee like a bird to your mountain." Verse 2 then justifies this fear by graphically describing the nature of the threat David faces. It paints a picture of cunning, deliberate malice against the righteous, emphasizing the hidden and deceitful methods employed by his enemies. This historical context could relate to various periods of David's life when he was hunted, such as by King Saul, where covert actions and ambushes were a constant danger to him as an innocent individual. The verse captures a universal spiritual and moral conflict between ungodly aggressors and the faithful who walk in integrity.

Psalm 11 2 Word analysis

• For behold (כִּי הִנֵּה, ki hinneh): An emphatic exclamation, drawing immediate attention to a grim reality. It signals the critical nature of the impending revelation, underscoring the severity of the threat about to be described.
• the wicked (הָרְשָׁעִים, ha'r'sha'im): This plural term signifies a collective of individuals whose lives are characterized by unrighteousness, injustice, and active rebellion against God's law and righteous ways. They are not merely those who err, but those who are guilty and actively antagonistic towards divine standards.
• bend (יִדְרְכוּ, yidr'khu): Literally means "to tread" or "to march," this verb is used here idiomatically to describe the forceful action of treading upon or bending a powerful bow, often requiring the use of one's foot. It implies strenuous effort and resolute intent to prepare a weapon for use.
• the bow (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet): A primary weapon for long-range attack in ancient warfare, symbolizing sudden, precise, and potentially lethal aggression. Its presence indicates readiness for immediate hostility.
• make ready (כּוֹנְנוּ, kon'nu): This verb suggests deliberate and meticulous preparation, indicating that the arrows are precisely fitted onto the bowstring. It speaks of a carefully aimed and premeditated strike, not a rash or impulsive act.
• their arrow (חִצָּם, chitzam): The projectile itself, symbolizing the instrument of intended harm. The possessive "their" indicates a personal, focused act of aggression from the wicked.
• on the string (עַל־יֶתֶר, al-yeter): Refers to the bowstring. Placing the arrow "on the string" signifies that the weapon is fully cocked, drawn, and aimed, ready for instant release. This portrays imminent danger and a direct threat.
• to shoot (לִירוֹת, lirot): This infinitive states the ultimate purpose of their elaborate preparation. Their intention is to discharge the weapon, confirming the hostile nature of their actions.
• in the dark (בְּמוֹ־אֹפֶל, b'mo-ofel): This phrase is profoundly significant, literally meaning "in gloom" or "in darkness." It characterizes the nature of the attack as secretive, deceptive, treacherous, cowardly, and without transparency or justice. Their deeds are hidden from observation, indicating an avoidance of accountability and a preference for malicious stealth.
• at the upright in heart (לְיִשְׁרֵי־לֵב, l'yish'rei-lev): The specific target of the wicked's insidious plot. "Upright" (yashar) denotes moral integrity, sincerity, and righteousness—those whose inner character and motivations are pure before God. This highlights the inherent conflict between unrighteousness and true piety.

Psalm 11 2 Word-groups analysis

• "bend the bow; they make ready their arrow on the string": This depicts a detailed, almost ceremonial, act of preparation for violence. It signifies a calculated and premeditated threat. The combination of actions reveals the seriousness of their malicious intent and their methodical approach to achieving their harmful goal. It's a vivid image of silent, deadly resolve.
• "to shoot in the dark": This crucial phrase conveys the deceitful and underhanded nature of the attack. It is an ambush, a strike against the unsuspecting, emphasizing treachery and a deliberate avoidance of fair conflict or accountability. It also suggests that the wicked's deeds cannot withstand the light of truth or justice, so they must operate covertly.
• "the upright in heart": This stands in stark moral opposition to "the wicked." It describes those who are not merely externally pious, but whose inner core, their "heart," is aligned with God's moral law. This underscores the unprovoked and unjust nature of the attack, as the victims are those living righteously.

Psalm 11 2 Bonus section

• The military imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for various forms of spiritual, verbal, or social assaults that target one's reputation, character, or peace. These are attacks that do not engage in open combat but seek to destabilize and destroy from a position of concealment.
• The tension described in this verse is universal; genuine faith will inevitably encounter such adversaries. The Lord's seeing and judging deeds done in darkness is a strong theological counterpoint to the wicked's attempts to hide their actions. God sees what is done in secrecy.
• The Psalm itself offers the antidote: rather than fleeing (as suggested in verse 1), the believer must stand firm in trusting the Lord's omniscient justice and protective care, which is revealed later in the Psalm.

Psalm 11 2 Commentary

Psalm 11:2 unveils the chilling reality that righteousness often draws the precise, premeditated attacks of wickedness. It paints a picture not of random hostility, but of deliberate, covert malevolence. The imagery of the bow and arrow speaks to sudden, distant, and lethal danger. More poignantly, the phrase "in the dark" exposes the character of such evil: it thrives on deception, avoids accountability, and shuns the light of justice, often reflecting a spiritual blindness or preference for wrongdoing hidden from observation. The specific targeting of "the upright in heart" signifies that this animosity is fundamentally directed at God's very nature and the goodness He establishes in His faithful ones. This verse serves as a sober warning to those who seek to live godly lives, reminding them that such insidious threats are a persistent reality, and calling them, implicitly, to greater reliance on God's unwavering protection, as modeled by David in this very Psalm. For practical application, it encourages discernment against subtle slanders, unseen conspiracies, and acts of betrayal often disguised by falsehood or enacted without clear identification.