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Psalm 11:3
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
1For the Chief Musician. By David. In the LORD, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
2For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
5The LORD examines the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and him who loves violence.
Notice
Destroyed foundations suggest a collapse beyond personal safety, raising the fear that righteous people may have no way left to act.
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Where else Scripture says this
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This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Psalm 82:5They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.Both psalms describe foundations under threat: Psalm 11 asks about their destruction, while Psalm 82 describes the earth’s foundations being shaken.
2 Timothy 2:19However, God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from …Both connect foundations with righteousness, though Psalm 11 considers foundations destroyed and Timothy declares that God’s firm foundation stands.
Isaiah 58:12Those who will be of you will build the old waste places. You will raise up the foundations of many generations. You will be called Repairer of the Breach, …Foundations appear in both passages: Psalm 11 considers their destruction, while Isaiah speaks of raising them up and restoring ruined places.
Psalm 75:3The earth and all its inhabitants quake. I firmly hold its pillars. Selah.Both use structural supports to describe stability under threat: destroyed foundations in Psalm 11 and pillars held firm amid quaking in Psalm 75.
Acts 4:24–33When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in …The shared thread is God’s rule: Psalm 11’s surrounding verses name his heavenly throne, while Acts addresses him as maker of all things.
2 Kings 19:13–18Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?’”The connection is limited: Psalm 11 asks about destroyed foundations, while the question in Kings concerns the whereabouts of rulers.
2 Chronicles 32:13–15Don’t you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands in any way able to deliver their …Psalm 11 questions what the righteous can do; Chronicles records a conqueror questioning whether the nations’ gods could deliver them.
Nehemiah 6:10–12I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within …Psalm 11’s surrounding verses describe hidden archers and advice to flee; Nehemiah receives advice to hide behind temple doors because of threatened murder.
Daniel 3:15–18Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which …Both passages frame danger with a question about possible help, though Daniel records a ruler’s threat and challenge to any god’s power to deliver.
Daniel 6:10–28When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three …Psalm 11 asks what the righteous can do; Daniel’s passage describes his continued prayer after learning that the writing was signed.
Ezekiel 13:14So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, …Both describe destruction reaching a foundation, though Ezekiel identifies the LORD as the one who brings down the whitewashed wall.
John 11:8–10The disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”Psalm 11’s question follows a warning about armed attackers; John records the disciples questioning Jesus about returning where people had tried to stone him.
Where this verse fits
Fear for the future. injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
The question about ruined foundations has a place in Scripture. The next verse names what remains: YHWH is on his throne, and he sees.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).