Focused Passage

Psalms 11:1-3

Taking Refuge in the LORD When Foundations Shake

The psalm moves from pressured counsel to flee, through the apparent collapse of foundations, into David’s confident confession that the LORD reigns, tests, judges, and loves righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

For the choirmaster. Of David.

1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!

2 For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Habakkuk 1:12 BSB references Psalms 27:1 Classic cross-references Psalms 56:3 Classic cross-references 2 Kings 6:16 Classic cross-references Psalms 56:11 Classic cross-references Isaiah 26:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

In the LORD בַּֽיהוָ֨ה׀ H3068 Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular I take refuge חָסִ֗יתִי H2620 Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular How then אֵ֭יךְ H349 Interjection can you say תֹּאמְר֣וּ H559 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural to me לְנַפְשִׁ֑י H5315 Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Flee נוּדוּ H5110 Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular like a bird צִפּֽוֹר׃ H6833 Noun - common singular to your mountain הַרְכֶ֥ם H2022 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural

Verse 2

Cross-references

Jeremiah 9:3 Classic cross-references Psalms 21:12 Classic cross-references Psalms 37:14 Classic cross-references Psalms 64:3 Classic cross-references Acts 24:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

For כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction behold הִנֵּ֪ה H2009 Interjection the wicked הָרְשָׁעִ֡ים H7563 Article | Adjective - masculine plural bend יִדְרְכ֬וּן H1869 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun [their] bows קֶ֗שֶׁת H7198 Noun - feminine singular They set כּוֹנְנ֣וּ H3559 Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural their arrow חִצָּ֣ם H2671 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural on עַל־ H5921 Preposition the string יֶ֑תֶר H3499 Noun - masculine singular to shoot לִיר֥וֹת H3384 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct from בְּמוֹ־ H1119 Preposition the shadows אֹ֝֗פֶל H652 Noun - masculine singular at the upright לְיִשְׁרֵי־ H3477 Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural construct in heart לֵֽב׃ H3820 Noun - masculine singular

Verse 3

Cross-references

Psalms 82:5 Classic cross-references 2 Timothy 2:19 Classic cross-references Isaiah 58:12 Classic cross-references Psalms 75:3 Classic cross-references Acts 4:24 Classic cross-references

Original words

If כִּ֣י H3588 Conjunction the foundations הַ֭שָּׁתוֹת H8356 Article | Noun - masculine plural are destroyed יֵֽהָרֵס֑וּן H2040 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun what מַה־ H4100 Interrogative can the righteous צַ֝דִּ֗יק H6662 Adjective - masculine singular do פָּעָֽל׃ H6466 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

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