I am continuing a project of paraphrasing the Psalms. Psalm 11 speaks of the experience of one in trouble. Given the option of fleeing to the mountains or fleeing to the Lord, he asks as Peter asks of Jesus, “Where else shall we go?” This is the meaning of “If our refuge has no footing, the righteous have nothing more.”

You may read the ESV translation of Psalm 11 HERE.

I run for refuge as fast as I can to the Lord.

How can say when winded from running and fear,
Fly like a bird straight to the mountains?
When all around, the wicked have bent their bows,
Look! They’ve set their arrows, and are ready to let fly.
From the cover of darkness
They are ready kill
Any who stand up for the right.
If our refuge has no footing,
The righteous have nothing more.

Yes, the Lord is on his throne!
Glory fills his holy temple
It spills from where he sits above the blue and stars.
From where he sees.
His eyes fix and focus on the children of men.
He sees it all —
Every last thing.

He sees the righteous and examines them.
But he blows a sigh when he sees the violence of the wicked.
Let him shower fire on the wicked—
Let them have their fill of burning embers
Repay them with the scorching stink of sulfur.

For the Lord is right,
And he loves to see the right done.
He will gather up those who do,
And look them right in the eye.

© Randall Edwards 2020.
This paraphrase of Psalm 11 is for Christ’s church. If it is helpful, please feel free to copy or reprint in church bulletins, read aloud, or repost. I only ask that an attribution be cited to myself (Randall Edwards) and this blog (backwardmutters.com