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Psalm 11[a]

Confidence in the Presence of God

For the leader. Of David.

I

In the Lord I take refuge;
    how can you say to me,
    “Flee like a bird to the mountains!(A)
See how the wicked string their bows,
    fit their arrows to the string
    to shoot from the shadows at the upright of heart.(B)
[b]If foundations are destroyed,
    what can the just one do?”

II

The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord’s throne is in heaven.(C)
God’s eyes keep careful watch;
    they test the children of Adam.
The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
    hates those who love violence,
And rains upon the wicked
    fiery coals and brimstone,
    a scorching wind their allotted cup.[c](D)
The Lord is just and loves just deeds;
    the upright will see his face.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 11 A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7).
  2. 11:3 Foundations: usually understood of public order, cf. Ps 82:5.
  3. 11:6 Their allotted cup: the cup that God gives people to drink is a common figure for their destiny, cf. Ps 16:5; 75:9; Mt 20:22; 26:39; Rev 14:10.