My Refuge
For the director of music. Of David.
Friends advise David to flee to the mountains like a bird, since arrows are already on the string and the foundations are collapsing. He refuses the advice. His Father is watching from his throne, testing everyone, and the upright will see his face.
11 1In my Father I have taken refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee to your mountain like a bird"? 2For look—the wicked draw their bows; they set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3When the foundations are torn down, what can the righteous do? 4Our Father is in his holy temple; our Father's throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines the children of humanity. 5Our Father examines the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. 6On the wicked he will rain down snares—fire and sulfur and a scorching wind will be the portion of their cup. 7For our Father is righteous; he loves righteous deeds. The upright will see his face. a a v7 The deepest reward the psalm names is not safety but seeing our Father's face — the upright belong with him, and to be with him is the whole point.
