To the chief Musician, of David. In the Lord I put my trust: how can you say to my soul, Flee like a bird to your mountain?

For the conductor, [a psalm] of David. In the [land of the] L rd have I taken shelter [viz. I Samuel 26:19]. How would you [my enemies] say to my soul: "Wander from your mountain [Eretz Yisrael], O bird"?

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.

For, behold, the wicked [(Doeg and the other slanderers, who stirred up hatred between David and Saul)] have drawn their bow [i.e., their tongues]. They have set their arrows upon the string to shoot in the darkness [i.e., in secret] at the just of heart [David and the priests of Nov].

For when the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

For the foundations [of the earth, i.e., the priests of the L rd] have been destroyed [by you]. The righteous one [David] — What has he done? [i.e., You will bear the burden of their death, not I].

The Lord in his holy temple, the Lord whose throne is in heaven, whose eyes behold, whose eyelids try, the children of men:

[Though] the L rd is in the sanctuary of His holiness; [though] the throne of the L rd be in the heavens, His eyes see [what transpires on earth]; His lids scan the sons of men.

the Lord tries the righteous: but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.

[And do not say that because I am smitten and pursued by you the L rd must have abandoned me, for] the L rd tries the righteous one; and the wicked one and the lover of violence, His soul despises [(and He stores up punishment for them in Gehinnom)].

Upon the wicked he shall rain coals, fire and brimstone, and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

[And in Gehinnom] He shall rain down coals upon the wicked. Fire and brimstone and a burning wind is the portion of their cup.

For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteousness; the upright shall behold his face.

For the L rd, being righteous, loves the righteous [and] those whose faces see [i.e., countenance] uprightness.