The Meaning of Psalms 11:1 Explained

Psalms 11:1

KJV: {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?

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

Darby: {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} In Jehovah have I put my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

ASV: In Jehovah do I take refuge: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{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? 

What does Psalms 11:1 Mean?

Study Notes

trust
Trust is the characteristic O.T. word for the N.T. "faith," "believe." It occurs 152 times in the O.T., and is the rendering of Heb. words signifying to take refuge (e.g. Ruth 2:12 "to lean on" (e.g.) Psalms 56:3 "to roll on" (e.g.) Psalms 22:8 "to stay upon" (e.g.) Job 35:14 .

Verse Meaning

As a principle of life, David sought refuge from his enemies in the Lord, his Stronghold. Consequently, when his counselors urged him to run and hide in a physical stronghold, he refused to do so (cf. Matthew 16:22; Acts 21:12). He regarded Yahweh a much more secure refuge than any fortress. Fleeing as a bird describes quick escape to a distant and secure place (cf. Psalm 55:6; Psalm 124:7).

Context Summary

Psalms 11:1-7 - God Our Refuge And Defense
The first of these is a debate between fear and faith, and dates from Saul's persecutions. Timid friends, anxious for David's safety, urged him to flee to the mountains. Such counsels of expediency are frequently given to the servants of God, Nehemiah 6:1-19. Luther's diaries are full of such references. But unless our duty is performed, we must stand our ground; we "can do no other." We must remember that God's love is with us, and that He always exchanges glances of love with His suffering ones. Compare Psalms 11:7 with Exodus 3:7.
The opening words of the next psalm appeal for help in bad and evil days. See Micah 7:2. A double heart is literally "a heart and a heart," Psalms 12:2. Let us be true in act and speech, else we forfeit the Spirit of truth, Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9. Our sighing will make God arise, Acts 7:56. We shall be helped and kept, Psalms 12:7 and Isaiah 54:17. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 11

1  David encourages himself in God against his enemies
4  The providence and justice of God

What do the individual words in Psalms 11:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician a Psalm of David In Yahweh I put my trust how can you say to my soul - Flee to your mountain [as] a bird
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ לְדָ֫וִ֥ד בַּֽיהוָ֨ה ׀ חָסִ֗יתִי אֵ֭יךְ תֹּאמְר֣וּ לְנַפְשִׁ֑י [נודו] (נ֝֗וּדִי) הַרְכֶ֥ם ؟ צִפּֽוֹר

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד  a  Psalm  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
בַּֽיהוָ֨ה ׀  In  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-b, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
חָסִ֗יתִי  I  put  my  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: חָסָה  
Sense: (Qal) to seek refuge, flee for protection.
אֵ֭יךְ  how 
Parse: Interjection
Root: אֵיךְ 
Sense: how? interj.
תֹּאמְר֣וּ  can  you  say 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לְנַפְשִׁ֑י  to  my  soul 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
[נודו]  - 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
(נ֝֗וּדִי)  Flee 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, feminine singular
Root: נוּד  
Sense: to shake, waver, wander, move to and fro, flutter, show grief, have compassion on.
הַרְכֶ֥ם  to  your  mountain 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: הַר  
Sense: hill, mountain, hill country, mount.
؟ צִפּֽוֹר  [as]  a  bird 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: צִפֹּור  
Sense: bird, fowl.