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This is a song that David wrote for the music leader.

Trust the Lord to keep you safe

11 I have run to the Lord to keep me safe.
So do not say this to me:
    ‘Fly away like a bird to the hills![a]
See what the wicked people are doing!
They are preparing their bows and arrows.
They are hiding in dark places,
    to shoot their arrows at good, honest people.
When the law no longer has authority,
    righteous people can do nothing!’

The Lord is in his holy temple.
He rules from his throne in heaven.
    He carefully watches what people are doing.
    He knows about each person.
The Lord watches both good people and wicked people.
Good people please him,
    but he hates wicked people and cruel people.
He will send hot coal and sulphur
    to fall like rain on wicked people.
A dangerous wind will be the punishment that they deserve.
The Lord always does what is right.
He loves people to do good things.
Those who do what is right will know that God loves them.

Footnotes

  1. 11:1 David's friends are telling him to run away from his enemies. But David is trusting God to keep him safe.

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)