11:title Of David See note on 3:title.

For the music director See note on 4:title

11:1 I have taken refuge The Psalms often describe the happiness and joy that come from taking refuge in Yahweh (2:12; 5:11; 118:8–9).

Flee to your mountain like a bird The psalmist rejects the advice to flee. In parallel to the phrase used here, taking refuge in Yahweh is often described with bird imagery—people can take refuge under the shelter of Yahweh’s wings (36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 91:4).

11:2 The wicked string the bow The wicked are prepared for attack, whether that attack is literal or describing slanderous accusations (5:9).

to shoot from the darkness The psalmist’s opponents hope to remain unseen to hide their guilt (Job 24:14–17). Their ambush comes unexpectedly (Psa 10:8–9).

11:3 what can the righteous do This question has been answered: the psalmist rejects the advice to flee. While the wicked are intent on destruction, the righteous can take refuge in Yahweh (v. 1).

11:4 Yahweh is in his holy temple The earthly temple was a representation of Yahweh’s heavenly temple. The psalmist looks to the temple as the place of Yahweh’s dwelling and a symbol of Yahweh’s sovereignty over all the earth (Hab 2:20).

Yahweh is in the heavens on his throne Symbolizing God’s authority. See Ps 9:7 and note.

His eyelids see While the wicked seek to hide their actions in the dark, Yahweh sees all from His heavenly throne.

11:5 Yahweh tests the righteous The Hebrew text here could refer to Yahweh examining the state of a person, perhaps for the purpose of judgment (compare vv. 6–7), or to Yahweh testing someone.

his soul hates The Hebrew word used here, sane, means “to hate.” The psalmist often describes his enemies as those who hate him (e.g., Ps 18:17; 38:19).

11:6 Burning sulfur Agents of God’s judgment (Gen 19:24; Ezek 38:22).

the portion of The Hebrew word used here, menath, describes the amount of punishment Yahweh has allotted the wicked (Jer 13:25). While this term can also describe Yahweh’s blessing (Psa 16:5), it is mostly used in descriptions of Yahweh’s anger (Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15).

11:7 righteous deeds Contrasting His hatred of the ways of the wicked (Psa 10:5).

shall see his face The psalmist can take refuge in Yahweh because He will protect the righteous and oppose the wicked. See note on 4:6.