1 I n Jehovah do I take refuge: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain;

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, Flee like a bird to your mountain?

2 F or, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart;

For see, the wicked are bending the bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they in darkness may shoot at the upright in heart.

3 I f the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do, or what has He wrought or accomplished?

4 J ehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids test and prove the children of men.

5 J ehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

The Lord tests and proves the righteous, but His soul abhors the wicked and him who loves violence.

6 U pon the wicked he will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

Upon the wicked He will rain quick burning coals or snares; fire, brimstone, and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 F or Jehovah is righteous; he loveth righteousness: The upright shall behold his face.

For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold His face, or He beholds the upright.