Psalms 11:5 Meaning and Explanation
“The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God tests the righteous while showing abhorrence toward the wicked and those who love violence.
The Context of Psalms 11:5
The psalmist contrasts God's testing of the righteous with God's judgment against the wicked.
What Does Psalms 11:5 Mean?
God's testing of the righteous differs entirely from the wicked's persecution of them. The righteous are tried—tested, refined, proven true—but by a God who scrutinizes with ultimate justice and care. This testing serves a purpose beyond mere hardship; it reveals and strengthens character. The righteous are subjected to this divine testing, yet it comes from One who knows them fully and acts for their good.
The parallel statement reveals God's judgment on the wicked: God's soul hateth them and those who love violence. This is not capricious anger but measured abhorrence of wickedness and violence themselves. God does not hate indiscriminately but hates what is contrary to righteousness. The parallelism—God tests the righteous; God hates the wicked—shows two sides of God's righteous judgment: refining the faithful and rejecting the cruel.
Psalms 11:5 in the Original Language
trieth (נִסָּה, nisah), 'tests' — to examine through trial to determine quality or reliability
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 11:5
What does Psalms 11:5 mean?
God tests the righteous while showing abhorrence toward the wicked and those who love violence.
What is the context of Psalms 11:5?
The psalmist contrasts God's testing of the righteous with God's judgment against the wicked.