Psalm 11:1
New International Version
For the director of music. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.

New Living Translation
I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

English Standard Version
In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!

King James Bible
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain?

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

NASB 1977
In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of David. In Yahweh I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge [and put my trust]; How can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to your mountain;

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. Of David. I have taken refuge in the LORD. How can you say to me, “Escape to the mountains like a bird!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. Davidic. I have taken refuge in the LORD. How can you say to me,” Escape to the mountain like a bird!

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In Jehovah do I take refuge: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain;

Contemporary English Version
The LORD is my fortress! Don't say to me, "Escape like a bird to the mountains!"

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; by David.] I have taken refuge in the LORD. How can you say to me: "Flee to your mountain like a bird?

Good News Translation
I trust in the LORD for safety. How foolish of you to say to me, "Fly away like a bird to the mountains,

International Standard Version
I take refuge in the LORD. So how can you say to me, "Flee like a bird to the mountains."?

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!

NET Bible
For the music director; by David. In the LORD I have taken shelter. How can you say to me, "Flee to a mountain like a bird!

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. By David.] In the LORD, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain."

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. By David. In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. BY DAVID. In YHWH I trusted, how do you say to my soul, “They moved to your mountain [as] the bird?”

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- By David. In Jehovah I trusted, how say ye to my soul, 'They moved to Thy mountain for the bird?

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer; of David. In Jehovah I put my trust: how will ye say to my soul, Wander ye to your mountain, little bird?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end. A psalm for David. In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain like a sparrow?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. I trust in the Lord. How can you say to my soul, “Sojourn to the mountain, like a sparrow.”

New American Bible
For the leader. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains!

New Revised Standard Version
In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
IN the LORD put I my trust; how say you to me, Flee as a bird to the mountains?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In LORD JEHOVAH I have hoped; how do you say to my soul, "Escape and dwell on the mountains like a bird"?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David. In the LORD have I taken refuge; How say ye to my soul: 'Flee thou! to your mountain, ye birds'?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, a Psalm of David. In the Lord I have put my trust: how will ye say to my soul, Flee to the mountains as a sparrow?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
In the LORD I Take Refuge
1For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain! 2For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.…

Cross References
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 46:1
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. / Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Psalm 31:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

Psalm 71:1
In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

2 Samuel 22:31
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2 Corinthians 1:10
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.


Treasury of Scripture

In the LORD put I my trust: how say you to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

A.

Psalm 7:1
Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:

Psalm 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psalm 16:1
Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

how

1 Samuel 19:11
Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

1 Samuel 20:38
And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan's lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.

1 Samuel 21:10-12
And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath…

Flee

Psalm 55:6,7
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest…

Proverbs 6:5
Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Luke 13:31
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

Jump to Previous
Bird Birds Chief Choirmaster David Director Faith Flee Flight Leader Mountain Mountains Moved Music Musician Music-Maker Overseer Psalm Refuge Soul Trust Trusted
Jump to Next
Bird Birds Chief Choirmaster David Director Faith Flee Flight Leader Mountain Mountains Moved Music Musician Music-Maker Overseer Psalm Refuge Soul Trust Trusted
Psalm 11
1. David encourages himself in God against his enemies
4. The providence and justice of God














In the LORD
The phrase "In the LORD" signifies a profound trust and reliance on Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew word for LORD here is "YHWH," which is the tetragrammaton, representing God's eternal and unchanging nature. This trust is not in human strength or wisdom but in the divine character and promises of God. Historically, this reflects the deep-seated faith of the Israelites, who saw God as their ultimate protector and source of strength. For the believer, this phrase is a call to place unwavering trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness.

I take refuge
The Hebrew word for "refuge" is "chasah," which means to seek shelter or protection. This imagery is akin to a bird finding safety in a strong, secure place. In ancient times, cities had fortified walls and towers where people could flee for safety during an attack. Spiritually, this conveys the idea of God as a fortress, a place of safety amidst life's storms. For Christians, taking refuge in the Lord means seeking His presence and protection in times of trouble, trusting that He is a safe haven from the adversities of life.

How then can you say to me
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, challenging the advice or suggestion given to the psalmist. It reflects a moment of introspection and confrontation with external voices that may encourage fear or doubt. The psalmist is questioning the rationale behind fleeing or abandoning trust in God. This can be seen as a call to discernment, urging believers to evaluate the counsel they receive against the truth of God's promises and character.

Flee like a bird to your mountain
The imagery of a bird fleeing to a mountain suggests a natural instinct to escape danger. In the ancient Near East, mountains were often seen as places of refuge due to their height and inaccessibility. However, the psalmist challenges this instinctual response, implying that true safety is not found in physical locations but in the Lord. For the believer, this serves as a reminder that while it is natural to seek safety, ultimate security is found in God alone. The mountain, often a symbol of strength and stability, pales in comparison to the refuge provided by the Creator of the mountains.

(1) Put I my trust.--Better, as in Psalm 7:1, I find my refuge.

Flee as a bird.--Literally, flee ye a bird. The plural verb, with the singular noun, offers a difficulty which is not obviated by the reading which changes the verb to the singular, since your mountain has the plural suffix. We may supply the sign of comparison, as elsewhere sometimes omitted (Psalm 22:14); "flee ye like a bird;" or we may, with Ewald, take the noun as collective--a flock of birds. The idea of trepidation is conveyed in the original by the verb, which suggests the hurried flap of wings. Dr. Thomson, in The Land and the Book, finds in the habits of the dove an illustration of the passage; and compares Psalm 55:6, "Oh that I had wings as a dove!"

Verse 1. - In the Lord put I my trust; or, in the Lord have I taken refuge (Kay, Cheyne). Before his friends address him on the subject of his danger, David has himself recognized it, and has fled to God for succour. How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? rather, flee ye, birds, to your mountain. Probably a proverbial expression, used when it was necessary to warn a man that in flight lay his only safety. The singular (צִפור) is used collectively.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

Of David.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

In the LORD
בַּֽיהוָ֨ה ׀ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

I take refuge.
חָסִ֗יתִי (ḥā·sî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2620: To flee for, protection, to confide in

So how
אֵ֭יךְ (’êḵ)
Interjection
Strong's 349: How?, how!, where

can you say
תֹּאמְר֣וּ (tō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
לְנַפְשִׁ֑י (lə·nap̄·šî)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

“Flee
נ֝֗וּדִי (nū·ḏî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 5110: To nod, waver, to wander, flee, disappear, to console, deplore, taunt

to your mountain
הַרְכֶ֥ם (har·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

like a bird!
צִפּֽוֹר׃ (ṣip·pō·wr)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6833: A little bird


Links
Psalm 11:1 NIV
Psalm 11:1 NLT
Psalm 11:1 ESV
Psalm 11:1 NASB
Psalm 11:1 KJV

Psalm 11:1 BibleApps.com
Psalm 11:1 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 11:1 Chinese Bible
Psalm 11:1 French Bible
Psalm 11:1 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 11:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 10:18
Top of Page
Top of Page