Psalms 11:3

NETBible

When the foundations 1  are destroyed, what can the godly 2  accomplish?” 3 

NIV ©

When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

NASB ©

If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?"

NLT ©

The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?"

MSG ©

The bottom's dropped out of the country; good people don't have a chance"?

BBE ©

If the bases are broken down, what is the upright man to do?

NRSV ©

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

NKJV ©

If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

KJV
If the foundations
<08356>
be destroyed
<02040> (8735)_,
what can the righteous
<06662>
do
<06466> (8804)_?
NASB ©
If
<3588>
the foundations
<8356>
are destroyed
<2040>
, What
<4100>
can the righteous
<6662>
do
<6466>
?"
LXXM
(10:3) oti
<3754> 
CONJ
a
<3739> 
R-APN
kathrtisw
<2675> 
V-AMI-2S
kayeilon
<2507> 
V-AAI-3P
o
<3588> 
T-NSM
de
<1161> 
PRT
dikaiov
<1342> 
A-NSM
ti
<5100> 
I-ASN
epoihsen
<4160> 
V-AAI-3S
NET [draft] ITL
When
<03588>
the foundations
<08356>
are destroyed
<02040>
, what
<04100>
can the godly
<06662>
accomplish
<06466>
?”
HEBREW
lep
<06466>
hm
<04100>
qydu
<06662>
Nworhy
<02040>
twtsh
<08356>
yk (11:3)
<03588>
NETBible

When the foundations 1  are destroyed, what can the godly 2  accomplish?” 3 

NET Notes

1 tn The precise meaning of this rare word is uncertain. An Ugaritic cognate is used of the “bottom” or “base” of a cliff or mountain (see G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 47, 159). The noun appears in postbiblical Hebrew with the meaning “foundation” (see Jastrow 1636 s.v. שָׁת).

2 tn The singular form is used here in a collective or representative sense. Note the plural form “pure [of heart]” in the previous verse.

3 sn The quotation of the advisers’ words (which begins in 11:1c) ends at this point. They advise the psalmist to flee because the enemy is poised to launch a deadly attack. In such a lawless and chaotic situation godly people like the psalmist can accomplish nothing, so they might as well retreat to a safe place.