Old Testament
Psalms 11
Overview
Psalm 11 is a psalm of confident trust in which David refuses the panicked counsel to flee "like a bird to your mountain" when the wicked bend their bows in the dark. Instead of running, he anchors his hope in the LORD who is enthroned in his holy temple, whose eyes test the children of man. The psalm answers fear not with a strategy of escape but with the steady conviction that the righteous God sees, judges, and finally lets the upright behold his face.
1To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.