Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
Parallel translations
- KJV The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
- BSB The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
- 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 which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him:
- Jas 1:12Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
- Ps 7:9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
- Gen 22:1After these things, God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.”
- Ps 5:4–5For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.
- Ps 21:8Your hand will find out all of your enemies. Your right hand will find out those who hate you.
- 1 Pet 1:7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ —
- Ps 26:2Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
- Ps 139:23–24Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
- Ps 10:3For the wicked boasts of his heart’s cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh.
- 1 Pet 4:12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
- Ps 139:1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me.
- Zech 13:9I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will test them like gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say, ‘It is my people;’ and they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’”
- Zech 11:8I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.
- Ps 17:3You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
- Jer 12:8My heritage has become to me as a lion in the forest. She has uttered her voice against me; therefore I have hated her.
- Mal 3:3and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings 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.