Psalms 11
Reading Time: Less than one minute Listen
In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 11:1-7
The Lord Is in His Holy Temple
To the choirmaster. Of David.
1In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 11:1-7
Psalm 11
For the director of music. Of David.
1In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
A loved one of mine was once investigated by the county on false charges. This caused a great deal of pain and disruption in our lives. What was sometimes just as upsetting was what people would say in their attempts to comfort.
This psalm addresses that concern. In the midst of a crisis, knowledge of God’s overarching knowledge and justice may be the only comfort we have. There are few real places of refuge in this world, and knowing that God’s perspective is whole and sovereign can sometimes be our only comfort.
The world judges so quickly, so superficially. God’s knowledge of good and evil is much more comprehensive. And in the end we will see His face, a face full of love and compassion. What a beautiful promise!
Lisa Clark Diller
Chair, Dept. of History and Political Studies
Southern Adventist University (as of this writing)
