Psalm 11, Amplified

PSALM 11, AMPLIFIED

Erna Buber-deVilliers

In the Lord I take refuge.

How then can you say to me:

"Flee like a bird to your mountain.

Or to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, anywhere.

You could even make it in the States, probably. Others have."

For look, the wicked bent their bows;

plant their car-bombs and limpet-mines,

point their machine-guns, traditional weapons

and throw their stones and their teargas canisters;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

and cast their slurs at the upright in heart

until nobody knows whom to believe.

You say, "when the foundations are being destroyed,

and the floodgates of hatred and fear are being opened,

and they are moving into our suburbs

and all the things that were kept secret, under cover, battened down

When those things crowd in on us

invade our living rooms

march through opur streets with banners and fists;

When we are brought face-to-face

with the ghettos we ignored,

the corruption we suspected

when the country is going to the dogs,

What can the righteous do?"

Well, I will tell you:

The LORD is in His holy temple.

The LORD is on His heavenly throne.

He Reigns.

He observes the sons of men, his eyes examine them.

The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked and those who love violence, his soul hates.

They will not hold sway forever.

On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulphur,

a scorching wind will be their lot.

I will be righteous

even if I do not escape pain in the turmoil,

even if i suffer the birthpangs of the New South Africa.

For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

and whatever happens, this one thing I know:

upright men will see his face