The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
- BSB The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
- NKJV The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
- NASB ¶The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the sons of mankind.
- NLT But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Yahweh is in His holy temple and on His heavenly throne, observing all people. God still reigns and sees everything despite earthly chaos.
Overview
David answers the crisis of collapsing foundations by lifting his eyes to God enthroned in heaven. God's watchful gaze examines all humanity, so nothing escapes His just attention. This vision of the sovereign, all-seeing God is the bedrock of confidence when earthly securities fail.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 24
- Ps 103:19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
- Ps 2:4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
- Ps 18:6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
- Hab 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
- Ps 34:15–16The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
- Ps 33:13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
- Jer 23:24Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
- Isa 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
- Heb 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
- Rev 4:2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
- 2 Chr 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
- Matt 23:21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
- 1 Chr 17:5For I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
- Matt 5:34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
- Ps 66:7He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
- Prov 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
- 2 Th 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
- Jer 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
- Acts 7:49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
- Ps 9:11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
- Exod 40:34–35Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
- Zech 2:13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.
- Ps 44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
- Mic 1:2Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from his holy temple.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 11:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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