Psalms 11: Trusting God Instead of Fleeing

David refuses to flee, choosing trust over panic.

Psalms 11: In the LORD Put I My Trust

Short and defiant, this chapter follows the lament of Psalms 10 as David rejects counsel to flee like a bird to the mountains when the wicked bend their bow against him. He anchors his confidence in the LORD's holy temple and heavenly throne.


In Jehovah I take refuge. How will ye say to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain.

For, 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.

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

Jehovah is in his holy temple. Jehovah's throne is in heaven. His eyes, behold, his eyelids try, the sons of men.

Jehovah tries the righteous man, but his soul hates the wicked man and him who loves violence.

He will rain snares upon sinners. Fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.

For Jehovah is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright man shall behold his face.

David affirms that the LORD tests both the righteous and the wicked, loving righteousness and hating violence, an idea paralleled in <a href="/bible/acv/psalms/chapter-82/5">Psalms 82:5</a>, before the sequence continues into <a href="/bible/acv/psalms/chapter-12">Psalms 12</a>.