Psalms 11:2

For look, the wicked ¹  prepare ²  their bows, ³  they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness ⁴  at the morally upright. ⁵ 

For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

The wicked are stringing their bows and setting their arrows in the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those who do right.

the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows Aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God.

See, the bows of the evil-doers are bent, they make ready their arrows on the cord, so that they may send them secretly against the upright in heart.

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.

For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.

For look, the wicked ¹  prepare ²  their bows, ³  they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness ⁴  at the morally upright. ⁵ 

¹ tn In the psalms the “wicked” (רְשָׁעִים, rÿsha’im) are typically proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander (Ps 50:16-20), and cheat others (Ps 37:21). They oppose God and threaten his people (Ps 3:8).

² tn The Hebrew imperfect verbal form depicts the enemies’ hostile action as underway.

³ tn Heb “a bow.”

⁴ sn In the darkness. The enemies’ attack, the precise form of which is not indicated, is compared here to a night ambush by archers; the psalmist is defenseless against this deadly attack.

⁵ tn Heb “pure of heart.” The “heart” is here viewed as the seat of one’s moral character and motives. The “pure of heart” are God’s faithful followers who trust in and love the Lord and, as a result, experience his deliverance (see Pss 7:10; 32:11; 36:10; 64:10; 94:15; 97:11).