Psalm 11 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 11[a]

Confidence in the Presence of God

1 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)
2 See how the wicked string their bows,
fit their arrows to the string
to shoot from the shadows at the upright of heart.(B)
3 [b]If foundations are destroyed,
what can the just one do?”

II

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.(C)
God’s eyes keep careful watch;
they test the children of Adam.
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
hates those who love violence,
6 And rains upon the wicked
fiery coals and brimstone,
a scorching wind their allotted cup.[c](D)
7 The Lord is just and loves just deeds;
the upright will see his face.

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.
  3. 11:6 Their allotted cup: the cup that God gives people to drink is a common figure for their destiny, cf. Ps 16:5; 75:9; Mt 20:22; 26:39; Rev 14:10.

Cross references

  1. 11:1 : Ps 55:7; 91:4.
  2. 11:2 : Ps 7:13; 37:14; 57:5; 64:4.
  3. 11:4 : Ps 14:2; 102:20; Hab 2:20; Dt 26:15; Is 66:1; Mt 5:34.
  4. 11:6 : Ps 120:4; 140:11; Prv 16:27; Ez 38:22; Rev 8:5; 20:10.