Psalms 11:5
5 The Lord approves of ▼▼ Heb “examines,” the same verb used in v.
4b. But here it is used in a metonymic sense of “examine and approve” (see
Jer 20:12).
the godly, ▼▼ The singular form is used here in a collective or representative sense. Note the plural form “pure (of heart)” in v.
2.
but he ▼▼ Heb “his [very] being.” A נֶפֶשׁ (
nefesh, “being, soul”) is also attributed to the Lord in
Isa 1:14, where a suffixed form of the noun appears as the subject of the verb “hate.” Both there and here the term is used of the seat of one’s emotions and passions.
hates ▼▼ He hates the wicked. The Lord “hates” the wicked in the sense that he despises their wicked character and deeds, and actively opposes and judges them for their wickedness. See
Ps 5:5.
the wicked and those who love to do violence. ▼▼ Heb “the wicked [one] and the lover of violence.” The singular form is used here in a collective or representative sense. Note the plural form רְשָׁעִים (
resha’
im, “wicked [ones]”) in vv.
2 and
6.