1 Samuel 18:1–20:42
18 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, athe 1soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, band Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, cand would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a dcovenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
5 So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and 2behaved wisely. And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants. 6 Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the 3Philistine, that ethe women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women fsang as they danced, and said:
g“Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”
8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying hdispleased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but ithe kingdom?” 9 So Saul 4eyed David from that day forward.
10 And it happened on the next day that jthe distressing spirit from God came upon Saul, kand he prophesied inside the house. So David lplayed music with his hand, as at other times; mbut there was a spear in Saul’s hand. 11 And Saul ncast the spear, for he said, “I will pin David to the wall!” But David escaped his presence twice.
12 Now Saul was oafraid of David, because pthe Lord was with him, but had qdeparted from Saul. 13 Therefore Saul removed him from 5his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and rhe went out and came in before the people. 14 And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and sthe Lord was with him. 15 Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 16 But tall Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.
17 Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab; uI will give her to you as a wife. Only be valiant for me, and fight vthe Lord’s battles.” For Saul thought, w“Let my hand not be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”
18 So David said to Saul, x“Who am I, and what is my life or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?” 19 But it happened at the time when Merab, Saul’s daughter, should have been given to David, that she was given to yAdriel the zMeholathite as a wife.
20 aNow Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved David. And they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. 21 So Saul said, “I will give her to him, that she may 6be a snare to him, and that bthe hand of the Philistines may be against him.” Therefore Saul said to David a second time, c“You shall be my son-in-law today.”
22 And Saul commanded his servants, “Communicate with David secretly, and say, ‘Look, the king has delight in you, and all his servants love you. Now therefore, become the king’s son-in-law.’ ”
23 So Saul’s servants spoke those words in the hearing of David. And David said, “Does it seem to you a light thing to be a king’s son-in-law, seeing I am a poor and lightly esteemed man…
Psalm 11
Faith in the Lord’s Righteousness
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In athe Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul,
“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
2 For look! bThe wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow on the string,
That they may shoot 1secretly at the upright in heart.
3 cIf the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?
4 The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord’s dthrone is in heaven;
eHis eyes behold,
His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The Lord ftests the righteous,
But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
gShall be 2the portion of their cup.
He hloves righteousness;
3His countenance beholds the upright.
Psalm 11 — The New International Version (NIV)
Title For the director of music. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Psalm 11 — English Standard Version (ESV)
Title To the choirmaster. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
Psalm 11 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
Title To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 In the Lord put I my trust:
How say ye to my soul,
Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string,
That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed,
What can the righteous do?
4 The Lord is in his holy temple,
The Lord’s throne is in heaven:
His eyes behold,
His eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The Lord trieth the righteous:
But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone,
And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;
His countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm 11 — New Living Translation (NLT)
Title For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!
2 The wicked are stringing their bows
and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from the shadows
at those whose hearts are right.
3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?”
4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven.
He watches everyone closely,
examining every person on earth.
5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.
He hates those who love violence.
6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,
punishing them with scorching winds.
7 For the righteous Lord loves justice.
The virtuous will see his face.
Psalm 11 — New Century Version (NCV)
Title For the director of music. Of David.
1 I trust in the Lord for protection.
So why do you say to me,
“Fly like a bird to your mountain.
2 Like hunters, the wicked string their bows;
they set their arrows on the bowstrings.
They shoot from dark places
at those who are honest.
3 When the foundations for good collapse,
what can good people do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord sits on his throne in heaven.
He sees what people do;
he keeps his eye on them.
5 The Lord tests those who do right,
but he hates the wicked and those who love to hurt others.
6 He will send hot coals and burning sulfur on the wicked.
A whirlwind is what they will get.
7 The Lord does what is right, and he loves justice,
so honest people will see his face.
Psalm 11 — American Standard Version (ASV)
Title For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In Jehovah do I take refuge:
How say ye to my soul,
Flee as a bird to your mountain;
2 For, lo, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string,
That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart;
3 If the foundations be destroyed,
What can the righteous do?
4 Jehovah is in his holy temple;
Jehovah, his throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 Jehovah trieth the righteous;
But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For Jehovah is righteous;
He loveth righteousness:
The upright shall behold his face.
Psalm 11 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
Title To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 In Jehovah have I put my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For behold, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may in darkness shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?
4 Jehovah is in the temple of his holiness; Jehovah, —his throne is in the heavens: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men. 5 Jehovah trieth the righteous one; but the wicked, and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone; and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For righteous is Jehovah; he loveth righteousness, his countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm 11 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Title For the choir director; by David.
1 I have taken refuge in the Lord.
How can you say to me:
“Flee to your mountain like a bird?
2 Wicked people bend their bows.
They set their arrows against the strings
to shoot in the dark at people whose motives are decent.
3 When the foundations ⸤of life⸥ are undermined,
what can a righteous person do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple.
The Lord’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes see.
They examine Adam’s descendants.
5 The Lord tests righteous people,
but he hates wicked people and the ones who love violence.
6 He rains down fire and burning sulfur upon wicked people.
He makes them drink from a cup filled with scorching wind.
7 The Lord is righteous.
He loves a righteous way of life.
Decent people will see his face.
Psalm 11 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Title For the choir director. Davidic.
1 I have taken refuge in the Lord.
How can you say to me,
“Escape to the mountain like a bird!
2 For look, the wicked string the bow;
they put the arrow on the bowstring
to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in His holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes watch; He examines everyone.
5 The Lord examines the righteous and the wicked.
He hates the lover of violence.
6 He will rain burning coals and sulfur on the wicked;
a scorching wind will be their portion.
7 For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds.
The upright will see His face.
Psalm 11 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Title To the leader. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains;
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates the lover of violence.
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
Psalm 11 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
Title For the music director. Of David.
1 In Yahweh I have taken refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee to your mountain like a bird”?
2 For look: The wicked string the bow.
They have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot from the darkness
at the upright of heart.
3 When the foundations are destroyed
what can the righteous do?
4 Yahweh is in his holy temple;
Yahweh is in the heavens on his throne.
His eyelids see;
they test the children of humankind.
5 Yahweh tests the righteous,
but the wicked and the lover of violence
his soul hates.
6 He will rain coals on the wicked.
Burning sulfur and scorching wind
will be the portion of their cup.
7 For Yahweh is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds.
The upright shall see his face.
Psalm 11 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
Title For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 I run to the Lord for safety.
So how can you say to me,
“Fly away like a bird to your mountain.
2 Look! Evil people are bending their bows.
They are placing their arrows against the strings.
They are planning to shoot from the shadows
at those who have honest hearts.
3 When law and order are being destroyed,
what can godly people do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple.
The Lord is on his throne in heaven.
He watches all people.
His eyes study them.
5 The Lord watches over those who do what is right.
But he hates sinful people and those who love to hurt others.
6 He will pour out flaming coals and burning sulfur
on those who do what is wrong.
A hot and dry wind will destroy them.
7 The Lord always does what is right.
So he loves it when people do what is fair.
Those who are honest will enjoy his blessing.
Psalm 11 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
Title For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge;
How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;
2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness;
The upright will behold His face.
Psalm 59
The Assured Judgment of the Wicked
To the Chief Musician. Set to 1“Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David aWhen Saul Sent Men, and They Watched the House in Order to Kill Him.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
2Defend me from those who rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,
And save me from bloodthirsty men.
3 For look, they lie in wait for my life;
bThe mighty gather against me,
Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.
4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine.
cAwake to help me, and behold!
5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel,
Awake to punish all the 3nations;
Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors.
Selah
6 dAt evening they return,
They growl like a dog,
And go all around the city.
7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth;
eSwords are in their lips;
For they say, f“Who hears?”
8 But gYou, O Lord, shall laugh at them;
You shall have all the 4nations in derision.
9 I will wait for You, O You 5his Strength;
10 7My God of mercy shall icome to meet me;
God shall let jme see my desire on my enemies.
11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget;
Scatter them by Your power,
And bring them down,
O Lord our shield.
12 kFor the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips,
Let them even be taken in their pride,
And for the cursing and lying which they speak.
13 lConsume them in wrath, consume them,
That they may not be;
And mlet them know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth.
Selah
14 And nat evening they return,
They growl like a dog,
And go all around the city.
15 They owander up and down for food,
And 8howl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 To You, pO my Strength, I will sing praises;
For God is my defense,
My God of mercy.