The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
- KJV The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
- NKJV The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
- NASB The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, And His soul hates one who loves violence.
- NLT The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.
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 examines the righteous but hates the wicked and those who love violence. God discerns hearts and opposes those who delight in evil.
Overview
God tests and refines the righteous while His soul hates the violent. This is not arbitrary but the holy God's settled opposition to wickedness. The verse holds together God's loving scrutiny of His people and His righteous hatred of evil, both flowing from His perfect justice and holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Prov 6:16–19There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
- Ps 7:9Put an end to the evil of the wicked, but establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds.
- Gen 22:1Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
- Ps 5:4–5For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.
- Ps 21:8Your hand will apprehend all Your enemies; Your right hand will seize those who hate You.
- 1 Pet 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Ps 26:2Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
- Ps 139:23–24Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.
- Ps 10:3For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
- 1 Pet 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Ps 139:1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
- Zech 13:9This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
- Zech 11:8And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.
- Ps 17:3You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
- Jer 12:8My inheritance has become to Me like a lion in the forest. She has roared against Me; therefore I hate her.
- Mal 3:3And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.
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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 11:5 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.