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?

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Psalm 11[a]

Confidence in the Presence of God

For the leader. Of David.

I

In the Lord I take refuge;
    how can you say to me,
    “Flee like a bird to the mountains!(A)
See how the wicked string their bows,
    fit their arrows to the string
    to shoot from the shadows at the upright of heart.(B)
[b]If foundations are destroyed,
    what can the just one do?”

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 11 A song of trust. Though friends counsel flight to the mountain country (a traditional hideout) to escape trouble (Ps 11:1–3), the innocent psalmist reaffirms confidence in God, who protects those who seek asylum in the Temple (Ps 11:4–7).
  2. 11:3 Foundations: usually understood of public order, cf. Ps 82:5.