Psalm 11:2

New English Translation

²For look, the wicked^[a] prepare^[b] their bows,^[c]
they put their arrows on the strings,
to shoot in the darkness^[d] at the morally upright.^[e]

Psalm 11:2 tn In the psalms the “wicked” (רְשָׁעִים, r^eshaʿim) are typically proud, practical atheists (Ps 10:2, 4, 11) who hate God’s commands, commit sinful deeds, speak lies and slander (Ps 50:16-20), and cheat others (Ps 37:21). They oppose God and threaten his people (Ps 3:8).
Psalm 11:2 tn The Hebrew imperfect verbal form depicts the enemies’ hostile action as underway.
Psalm 11:2 tn Heb “a bow.”
Psalm 11:2 sn In the darkness. The enemies’ attack, the precise form of which is not indicated, is compared here to a night ambush by archers; the psalmist is defenseless against this deadly attack.
Psalm 11:2 tn Heb “pure of heart.” The “heart” is here viewed as the seat of one’s moral character and motives. The “pure of heart” are God’s faithful followers who trust in and love the Lord and, as a result, experience his deliverance (see Pss 7:10; 32:11; 36:10; 64:10; 94:15; 97:11).

New English Translation (NET)