Psalms — Chapter 11

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1In 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.

1In Jehovah do I take refuge: How say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain;

2For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart;

3If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?

4Jehovah is in his holy temple; Jehovah, his throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

5Jehovah trieth the righteous; But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

6Upon the wicked he will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7For Jehovah is righteous; he loveth righteousness: The upright shall behold his face. Psalm 12 For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David.

1For the music director, by David. In the Lord I have taken shelter. How can you say to me, “Flee to a mountain like a bird.

2For look, the wicked prepare their bows, they put their arrows on the strings, to shoot in the darkness at the morally upright.

3When the foundations are destroyed, what can the godly accomplish?”

4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his eyes examine all people.

5The Lord approves of the godly, but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence.

6May he rain down burning coals and brimstone on the wicked! A whirlwind is what they deserve.

7Certainly the Lord is just; he rewards godly deeds. The upright will experience his favor.

1In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain!”

2For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

3If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

4Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.

5Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.

6On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A psalm of trust — when counseled to flee like a bird, David refuses: 'In the LORD put I my trust.' The LORD is in His holy temple testing the righteous and wicked; He loves righteousness.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Trust/Confidence Psalm Attributed Author: David — "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David" Key Themes: Refusing fear-based flight, God's sovereign observation from heaven, testing of the righteous, judgment on the wicked, beholding God's face
Historical Context: This short, powerful psalm likely dates from David's time fleeing Saul. Well-meaning advisors urge him to flee "like a bird to your mountain" — to abandon his post and run. David's response is not recklessness but theology: the LORD is in His temple, His throne is in heaven, His eyes see everything. Why flee when the sovereign God is watching? The psalm addresses the temptation to abandon faith-based action for fear-based escape. The question "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v.3) is one of Scripture's most profound questions about societal collapse.
Structure:
  • Rejection of Fearful Advice (vv.1-3)
  • God's Sovereign Observation (vv.4-5)
  • Judgment on the Wicked (v.6)
  • The Reward of the Upright (v.7)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Don't let fear-counsel override faith-conviction (v.1). Others may advise flight when God calls you to stand. Test all advice — even well-meaning advice — against your trust in God.
  • 2. When foundations collapse, look up (vv.3-4). The answer to "what can the righteous do?" is not panic but perspective. God's throne is undisturbed by earthly chaos. Heavenly reality remains stable when earthly reality crumbles.
  • 3. Testing is not punishment (v.5). God tests the righteous — not to destroy but to refine. The same God who hates the violent tests the faithful. Distinguish between divine discipline (refining) and divine judgment (punishing).
  • 4. The wicked receive their "cup" (v.6). The cup metaphor appears throughout Scripture for divine judgment (Jer 25:15; Rev 14:10). The wicked's portion is not arbitrary — it is the logical consequence of loving violence.
  • 5. The ultimate reward is God's face (v.7). Not prosperity, not ease, not vindication before enemies — but seeing God. The highest good is not what God gives but who God IS. The upright will behold Him.