For the choir director: A psalm of David.

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.

3The 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.

6He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,

punishing them with scorching winds.

7For the righteous LORD loves justice.

The virtuous will see his face.