Psalms 11:1-7
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privilya shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horribleb tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
XI. Yahweh the Sure Refuge.
Psalms 11:1. The problem stated. The wicked are bold: the righteous cannot meet their attack. They can but flee like a little bird (the habitual meaning of the word translated bird). The mountain (LXX) is preferable to your mountain. An eagle might be poetically described as lord of the mountain, not so a little bird, which seeks refuge there. The reason for this despair is that while the very foundations of social order have been shaken, the righteous have made no head against prevailing evil. After all what hath the righteous done or effected? (mg.). The answer (Psalms 11:4), Yahweh is in His heavenly Temple. But far from dwelling apart, He proves or tests the righteous. He rains burning wood on the wicked (so emend the senseless word snares in Psalms 11:6). The righteous behold his face, i.e. have the sense of His gracious presence.