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 trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! 2The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” 4But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. 5The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates 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 quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. Interlude
• Psalms 82:5But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.
• Isaiah 58:12Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
• 2 Timothy 2:19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
• 2 Kings 19:13What happened to the king of Hamath and the king of Arpad? What happened to the kings of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?”
• 2 Kings 22:12Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser:
• 2 Chronicles 32:13“Surely you must realize what I and the other kings of Assyria before me have done to all the people of the earth! Were any of the gods of those nations able to rescue their people from my power?
• Nehemiah 6:10Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”
• Jeremiah 26:11The priests and prophets presented their accusations to the officials and the people. “This man should die!” they said. “You have heard with your own ears what a traitor he is, for he has prophesied against this city.”
• Daniel 3:15I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
• Daniel 6:10But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
• John 11:8But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
• Acts 4:5The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met 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