n the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (Psalms 1:1 KJV)

Words: Par­a­phrase of Psalm 11; au­thor un­known.

Music: Pro­tect­ion, from A Com­pil­a­tion of Gen­u­ine Church Mu­sic, by Jo­seph Funk (Win­ches­ter, Vir­gin­ia: J. W. Holl­is, 1832)

In God Will I Trust

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In God will I trust, though my counselors say,
O flee as a bird to your mountain away;
The wicked are strong and the righteous are weak,
Foundations are shaken, yet God will I seek.

The Lord in His temple shall ever abide,
His throne is eternal, whatever betide;
The children of men He beholds from on high,
The wicked to punish, the righteous to try.

The Lord is most righteous, the Lord loves the right,
The evil He hates and will surely requite;
The wicked His anger will drive from their place,
The upright in rapture shall gaze on His face.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible says of Psalms 11:1

“In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye – Some of David’s friends seem to have given him this advice when they saw Saul bent on his destruction: “Flee as a bird to your mountain;” you have not a moment to lose; your ruin is determined; escape for your life; get off as swiftly as possible to the hill-country, to some of those inaccessible fortresses best known to yourself; and hide yourself there from the cruelty of Saul. To which advice he answers, “In the Lord put I my trust,” shall I act as if I were conscious of evil, and that my wicked deeds were likely to be discovered? Or shall I act as one who believes he is forsaken of the protection of the Almighty? No: I put my trust in him, and I am sure I shall never be confounded.”

From the Life Application Study Bible:

“David was forced to flee for safety several times. Being God’s anointed king did not make him immune to injustice and hatred from others. He may have written this psalm when he was being hunted by Saul (1 Samuel 18-31) or during the days of Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18). In both instances, David fled, but not as if all was lost. He knew God was in control. While David wisely avoided trouble, he did not fearfully run away from his troubles.

David seems to be speaking to those who are advising him to run from his enemies. David’s faith contrasts dramatically with the fear of the advisers who tell him to flee. Faith in God keeps us from losing hope and helps us resist fear. David’s advisers were afraid because they saw only frightening circumstances and crumbling foundations. David was comforted and optimistic because he knew God was greater than anything his enemies could bring against him (Psalms 7:10; Psalms 16:1; Psalms 31:2-3).”