Psalms 11

In the Lord I take refuge

n the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.a 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?”b ⁴The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.c

⁵The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.d ⁶On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.e ⁷For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.f

Commentary

Psalm 11 is a short, intense poem of trust in the Lord when the foundations of society seem to be collapsing. The psalmist faces counsel from fearful advisors who urge him to flee like a bird to the mountains, but he refuses. Instead, he anchors himself in the reality that the Lo

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 11(4)

Face Rain Throne Wind

References· Psalms 11

a: v.1 — Psalms 56:11, Isaiah 26:3-4, 1 Samuel 23:14, Psalms 25:2, Luke 13:31, Proverbs 6:5, Psalms 16:1, 2 Chronicles 16:8, Psalms 7:1, Psalms 9:10
b: v.3 — Psalms 82:5, 2 Timothy 2:19, Isaiah 58:12, Psalms 75:3, Acts 4:24-33, 2 Kings 19:13-18, Daniel 3:15-18, Nehemiah 6:10-12, 2 Chronicles 32:13-15, Daniel 6:10-28
c: v.4 — Psalms 103:19, Psalms 18:6, Psalms 2:4, Habakkuk 2:20, Psalms 34:15-16, Jeremiah 23:24, Psalms 33:13, Isaiah 66:1, Hebrews 4:13, 2 Chronicles 16:9
d: v.5 — Proverbs 6:16-19, James 1:12, Psalms 7:9, Psalms 21:8, Psalms 5:4-5, 1 Peter 1:7, Genesis 22:1, Psalms 26:2, Psalms 10:3, 1 Peter 4:12
e: v.6 — Ezekiel 38:22, Genesis 19:24, Luke 17:29, Ezekiel 13:13, Psalms 75:8, Job 18:15, Job 20:23, Jeremiah 25:15-17, Habakkuk 2:16, John 18:11
f: v.7 — Revelation 22:4, Psalms 17:15, 1 Peter 3:12, Psalms 45:7, Job 36:7, 1 John 3:2, Psalms 33:18, Psalms 34:15, Psalms 99:4, Psalms 5:12

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