1 Lord, you are my protection. So how can you tell me, “Fly away to the mountains like a bird”?

2 Look, the wicked are drawing their bows, loading them with arrows ready to shoot from the shadows at good people.

3 When the foundations of society are destroyed, what can those who live right do?

4 The Lord is in his Temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven. He keeps a close eye on everyone, watching them carefully.

5 The Lord examines both those who do right and those who do evil, but he hates those who love violence.

6 He will make blazing coals and sulfur rain down on the wicked; a scorching wind is what's coming on them.

7 The Lord does what is right, and he loves those who live right. Those who do good will see him face to face.