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Psalm 11

For the worship leader. A song of David.

Psalm 11 is a Davidic psalm expressing trust in the Eternal as a refuge and fortress for those who do what is right. David spent many years struggling first with Saul, then with the neighboring nations, and finally against the rebellion led by his son Absalom.

I am already in the soft embrace of the Eternal,
    so why do you beckon me to leave, saying,
    “Fly like a bird to the mountains.
Look! The wicked approach with bows bent,
    sneaking around in the shadows,
    setting their arrows against their bowstrings to pierce everyone whose heart is pure.
If the foundations are crumbling,
    is there hope for the righteous?”

But the Eternal has not moved; He remains in His holy temple.
    He sits squarely on His heavenly throne.
    He observes the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, examining us within and without,
    exploring every fiber of our beings.
The Eternal searches the hearts of those who are good,
    but He despises all those who can’t get enough of perversion and violence.
If you are evil, He will rain hot lava over your head,
    will fill your cup with burning wind and liquid fire to scorch your insides.

The Eternal is right in all His ways;
    He cherishes all that is upright.
Those who do what is right in His eyes will see His face.

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)

11 In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

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.

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.