Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
Read it in contextPsalm 11
Start reading at Psalms 11:1 (Psalms 11:1 to Psalms 11:7).
The entire Psalm 11 forms a cohesive literary unit, expressing the psalmist's trust in God's justice amidst persecution.
11:1In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
11:2For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
11:3If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
11:4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
11:5The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
11:6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
11:7For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 11:1–11:7): The psalmist responds to advisers who urge flight and testifies to hearers about the LORD's rule and judgment. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is the LORD's righteous judgment upon the wicked, contrasted with His unwavering care and observation of the upright.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His absolute sovereignty, His presence in His holy temple and on His heavenly throne, His meticulous observation of humanity, His hatred for the wicked and those who love violence, and His certain judgment upon them, while affirming His love for righteousness and the upright.
What is the literary style? The literary style is Hebrew poetry, characteristic of worship literature.
When
When was it written? The book of Psalms was collected between approximately 1400 and 450 B.C. This specific psalm, attributed to David, would have been written around 1000 B.C.
When does the event take place? The judgment described for the wicked is a future event, indicated by 'he shall rain,' while the LORD's observation and testing of humanity are ongoing, as 'his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.'
Where
Where did it happen? The LORD's throne is in heaven, from which He observes and will execute judgment. The specific location of the events described is not stated, but the judgment is depicted as coming from God's heavenly abode.
Where was the author located? The author, David, was located in Israel.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Psalm 11 (Psalms 11:1 to Psalms 11:7).
Start reading at Psalms 11:1. The entire Psalm 11 forms a cohesive literary unit, expressing the psalmist's trust in God's justice amidst persecution.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalm 11 is a declaration of the psalmist's unwavering trust in the LORD amidst the threats and destructive actions of the wicked. Verse 6 provides the ultimate justification for this trust by detailing the severe and certain judgment that God will bring upon the wicked, thereby reassuring the righteous that God is indeed in control and will act justly. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ as the righteous Judge who will execute God's wrath upon the wicked, raining down 'snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest' upon them. He is also the one in whom believers place their trust, knowing that His 'countenance doth behold the upright' and that He will ultimately deliver His people and establish perfect justice. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, believers are called to put their trust in the LORD, even when surrounded by wickedness and violence, just as the psalmist did. This passage reminds us that God sees all, tests the hearts of men, and will ultimately bring righteous judgment upon the wicked, while upholding and beholding the upright. Therefore, we should live righteously and patiently await God's perfect justice. interpretation
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 11
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
“For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth…”
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.