Psalm 11:4
New International Version
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.

New Living Translation
But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

English Standard Version
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

King James Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

New King James Version
The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the sons of mankind.

NASB 1995
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

NASB 1977
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh is in His holy temple; Yahweh’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Amplified Bible
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven. His eyes see, His eyelids test the children of men.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD—his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; He examines everyone.

American Standard Version
Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is sitting in his sacred temple on his throne in heaven. He knows everything we do because he sees us all.

English Revised Version
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD, his throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam's descendants.

Good News Translation
The LORD is in his holy temple; he has his throne in heaven. He watches people everywhere and knows what they are doing.

International Standard Version
The LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD's throne is in the heavens. His eyes see, his glance examines humanity.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.

NET Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven. His eyes look upon the poor. His eyes examine the descendants of Adam.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try the children of men.

World English Bible
Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH [is] in His holy temple: YHWH—His throne [is] in the heavens. His eyes see—His eyelids try the sons of men.

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah is in his holy temple: Jehovah -- in the heavens is His throne. His eyes see -- His eyelids try the sons of men.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, in the heavens his throne: his eyes will behold, his eyelashes will try the sons of man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes look upon the poor. His eyelids question the sons of men.

New American Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. God’s eyes keep careful watch; they test the children of Adam.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his gaze examines humankind.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids examine, the children of men.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH is in the temple of the Holiness of LORD JEHOVAH; his throne is in Heaven; his eyes see; his eyelids examine the children of men.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD, His throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The Lord is in his holy temple, as for the Lord, his throne is in heaven: his eyes look upon the poor, his eyelids try the sons of men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
In the LORD I Take Refuge
3If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” 4The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. 5The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.…

Cross References
Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.

1 Kings 8:27-30
But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. / Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today. / May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. ...

2 Chronicles 6:18-21
But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. / Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You. / May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. ...

Psalm 33:13-14
The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. / From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 102:19
For He looked down from the heights of His sanctuary; the LORD gazed out from heaven to earth

Psalm 14:2
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Matthew 5:34
But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

Matthew 6:9
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Acts 7:49
‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The Lord

Psalm 9:11
Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Exodus 40:34,35
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle…

the Lord's

Psalm 2:4
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Isaiah 66:1
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

his eyes

Psalm 33:13
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

Psalm 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Psalm 66:7
He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

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Psalm 11
1. David encourages himself in God against his enemies
4. The providence and justice of God














The LORD
The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal, self-existent nature. This name is deeply personal and relational, emphasizing God's faithfulness and His unchanging character. In the context of Psalm 11, it reminds the reader of God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement with His people. Yahweh is not a distant deity but one who is actively engaged in the affairs of the world and the lives of His followers.

is in His holy temple
The phrase "holy temple" refers to the heavenly dwelling place of God. In ancient Israel, the temple was the center of worship and the symbol of God's presence among His people. However, this verse transcends the physical temple in Jerusalem, pointing to the ultimate reality of God's throne in heaven. The holiness of the temple underscores God's purity and separateness from sin, while His presence there assures believers of His watchful care and sovereign rule over all creation.

the LORD’s throne
The "throne" symbolizes authority, power, and kingship. In the ancient Near East, a throne was the seat of a king's rule, and here it represents God's supreme authority over the universe. This imagery reassures believers that despite the chaos and injustice they may witness on earth, God remains in control. His throne is not subject to the whims of human rulers or the instability of earthly kingdoms. It is eternal and unshakeable.

is in heaven
Heaven is depicted as the realm of God's perfect rule and the place from which He governs the universe. This phrase emphasizes the transcendence of God, who is above and beyond the limitations of the physical world. It also serves as a reminder of the ultimate hope for believers: that God's heavenly kingdom will one day be fully realized on earth. The heavenly perspective encourages faith and trust in God's perfect plan, even when circumstances seem dire.

His eyes
The imagery of God's "eyes" conveys His omniscience and His ability to see all things. In the Hebrew context, eyes are often associated with perception and understanding. This phrase assures believers that nothing escapes God's notice. He is fully aware of the actions and intentions of every individual. His watchful gaze is both comforting and convicting, as it means He sees the plight of the righteous and the wickedness of the unrighteous.

see
The verb "see" here is active and intentional, indicating that God is not passively observing but is fully engaged in the affairs of the world. This seeing is not just a casual glance but a deep, penetrating awareness of all that occurs. It implies that God is attentive to the needs of His people and is working out His purposes in history. His seeing is comprehensive, encompassing both the visible and the hidden aspects of life.

His gaze examines
The word "examines" suggests a thorough and discerning inspection. In the Hebrew, it carries the idea of testing or proving, much like refining metals to determine their purity. God's examination is not superficial; it is a deep and penetrating scrutiny that reveals the true nature of every heart. This examination is both a warning to the wicked and a comfort to the righteous, as it assures them that God will ultimately vindicate those who are faithful to Him.

the sons of men
This phrase refers to humanity in general, emphasizing the universal scope of God's concern and judgment. It highlights the fact that all people, regardless of status or position, are subject to God's sovereign rule and moral evaluation. The term "sons of men" also underscores the frailty and fallibility of human beings in contrast to the divine nature of God. It serves as a reminder of the need for humility and dependence on God's grace and mercy.

(4) Temple.--Here, plainly from the parallelism, not any earthly building, but the heavenly palace of the Divine King. One thought of God's supreme righteousness, high above earth's anarchy and sin, is enough to reassure the psalmist and make him strong. "God's in His heaven; all's right with the world."--Browning, Pippa Passes.

Verse 4. - The Lord is in his holy temple. David's reply to his timid advisers is an expression of absolute faith and trust in God. Saul may reign upon earth; but Jehovah is in his holy temple (or rather, "palace," הֵיכַל) on high - his throne is in heaven, where he sits and reigns. What need, then, to fear an earthly king? Especially when God is not inattentive to human affairs, but his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men (comp. Psalm 7:9; Psalm 17:3; Psalm 139:1). His "eyelids" are said to try men, because, when we closely scrutinize a thing, we drop our eyelids and half close our eyes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָ֤ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is in His holy
קָדְשׁ֗וֹ (qā·ḏə·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

temple;
בְּֽהֵ֘יכַ֤ל (bə·hê·ḵal)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

the LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is on His heavenly
בַּשָּׁמַ֪יִם (baš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

throne.
כִּ֫סְא֥וֹ (kis·’ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

His eyes
עֵינָ֥יו (‘ê·nāw)
Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

are watching closely;
יֶחֱז֑וּ (ye·ḥĕ·zū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2372: To gaze at, to perceive, contemplate, to have a, vision of

[they]
עַפְעַפָּ֥יו (‘ap̄·‘ap·pāw)
Noun - mdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6079: An eyelash, morning ray

examine
יִ֝בְחֲנ֗וּ (yiḇ·ḥă·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

the sons
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of men.
אָדָֽם׃ (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being


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OT Poetry: Psalm 11:4 Yahweh is in his holy temple (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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