Psalms 11:3

Psalms 11:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
• New International Version (NIV)When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

Context of Psalms 11:3

1I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, “Escape to the mountains like a bird! 2For look, the wicked string bows; they put their arrows on bowstrings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord—his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone. 5The Lord examines the righteous, but he hates the wicked and those who love violence.

Psalms 11:3 word by word

כִּ֣י הַ֭שָּׁתוֹת יֵֽהָרֵס֑וּן צַ֝דִּ֗יק מַה־פָּעָֽל׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If the foundationsשָׁתshâthâh · foundationH8356
• be destroyedהָרַסhâras · to overthrowH2040
• what can the righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
• doפָּעַלpâ‛al · to workH6466

Cross-references for Psalms 11:3

• Psalms 75:3When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the one who steadies its pillars.Selah
• Psalms 82:5They do not know or understand; they wander in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
• Isaiah 58:12Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.
• 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.
• 2 Kings 19:13Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, or Ivvah?’”
• 2 Kings 22:12Then he commanded the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, the court secretary Shaphan, and the king’s servant Asaiah,
• 2 Chronicles 32:13“‘Don’t you know what I and my predecessors have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have any of the national gods of the lands been able to rescue their land from my power?
• Nehemiah 6:10I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: Let’s meet at the house of God, inside the temple. Let’s shut the temple doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight!
• Jeremiah 26:11Then the priests and prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man deserves the death sentence because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.”
• Daniel 3:15Now if you’re ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, drum, and every kind of music, fall down and worship the statue I made. But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire — and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
• Daniel 6:10When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
• John 11:8“Rabbi,” the disciples told him, “just now the Jews tried to stone you, and you’re going there again?”
• Acts 4:5The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem

Commentaries on Psalms 11:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3If the foundations be destroyed - If Saul, who is the vicegerent of God, has cast aside his fear, and now regards neither truth nor justice, a righteous man has no security for his life. This is at present thy case; therefore flee! They have utterly destroyed the foundations; (of truth and equity); what can righteousness now effect? Kimchi supposes this refers to the priests who were murdered by Doeg, at the command of Saul. The priests are destroyed, the…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3If the foundations be destroyed - These are still to be regarded as the words of the psalmist‘s advisers; or as an argument why he should make his escape. The word “foundations,” here, refers to those things on which society rests, or by which social order is sustained - the great principles of truth and righteousness that uphold society, as the foundations on which an edifice rests uphold the building. The reference is to a destruction of those things in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3The wicked create a world of darkness (see Psalms 82:5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Literally, "The foundations (that is, of good order and law) will be destroyed, what has the righteous done (to sustain them)?" All his efforts have failed.Read the comment

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Naioth
• Rain
• Try
• Foundation
• Papyrus
• Psalms, Book of

Commentaries on Psalms 11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• The Treasury of David
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings