11 1 This Psalm containeth two parts.  In the first David showeth how hard assaults of temptations he sustained, and in how great anguish of mind he was, when Saul did persecute him. 4 Then next he rejoiceth that God sent him succor in his necessity, declaring his justice as well in governing the good, and the wicked men, as the whole world.

To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David.

In the Lord put I my trust; how say ye then to my soul, [a]Flee to your mountain as a bird?

For lo, the wicked bend their bow, and make ready their arrows upon the string, that they may secretly shoot at them which are upright in heart.

For the [b]foundations are cast down, what hath the [c]righteous done?

The Lord is in his holy palace; the Lord’s throne is in the heaven; his eyes [d]will consider; his eyelids will try the children of men.

The Lord will try the righteous; but the wicked, and him that loveth iniquity, doth his soul hate.

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, [e]fire, and brimstone, and stormy tempest; this is the [f]portion of their cup.

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness: his countenance doth behold the just.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 11:1 This is the wicked counsel of his enemies to him and his companions to drive him from the hope of God’s promise.
  2. Psalm 11:3 All hope of succor is taken away.
  3. Psalm 11:3 Yet am I innocent and my cause good.
  4. Psalm 11:4 Though all things in earth be out of order, yet God will execute judgment from heaven.
  5. Psalm 11:6 As in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
  6. Psalm 11:6 Which they shall drink even to the dregs, Ezek. 23:34.

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)