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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.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

In the Lord I take refuge.(A)
    How then can you say to me:
    “Flee(B) like a bird to your mountain.(C)
For look, the wicked bend their bows;(D)
    they set their arrows(E) against the strings
to shoot from the shadows(F)
    at the upright in heart.(G)
When the foundations(H) are being destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;(I)
    the Lord is on his heavenly throne.(J)
He observes everyone on earth;(K)
    his eyes examine(L) them.
The Lord examines the righteous,(M)
    but the wicked, those who love violence,
    he hates with a passion.(N)
On the wicked he will rain
    fiery coals and burning sulfur;(O)
    a scorching wind(P) will be their lot.

For the Lord is righteous,(Q)
    he loves justice;(R)
    the upright(S) will see his face.(T)