Psalms 11

David is urged by frightened friends to run away because the wicked are attacking and society seems to be collapsing. He answers with faith: the LORD is on His throne and sees everything. He will judge the wicked, and the upright will see His face.

Psalms 11:1

David begins with his answer before he gives the advice he is answering. His refuge is the LORD, so running is unnecessary. The advice to flee like a bird sounds sensible, but it would mean trusting his own escape instead of God.

BSA: refuge (“seek protection, trust in”): Taking refuge is an act of trust, like running to shelter and staying there. LORD (“Yehovah, The covenant Name of God”): David relies on the God who has bound Himself by promise to His people.

See also: Psalm 91:2; Proverbs 18:10.

Psalms 11:2

The friends describe real danger. Wicked men have strung their bows and aim from the dark at people whose hearts are straight. Evil often works in secret, and honest people can feel exposed and defenseless.

BSA: upright (“straight, just”): These are people whose inner lives are straight, without crookedness or deceit, which is why they are easy targets. shadows (“darkness, gloom”): The attack comes from hiding, where it cannot be seen coming.

Psalms 11:3

The friends reach their gloomiest point. If the foundations of law, justice and order are torn down, what can a good person accomplish? It is an honest question, and the rest of the psalm answers it.

BSA: foundations (“bases, underlying principles”): These are the moral and social supports that hold a society up, such as justice and truth.

See also: Psalm 82:5.

Psalms 11:4

David turns from the earthly scene to the heavenly one. The LORD has not lost control. He sits in His holy temple and on His throne, and His eyes are on every human being. Nothing is hidden from Him, even what is done in the dark.

BSA: examine (“test, prove”): God’s looking is not casual. He looks the way a refiner looks at metal, to see what it really is. throne (“the seat of power and authority”): The One who rules is not shaken by what shakes the earth.

Hebrew: יִבְחֲנוּ (yivchanu, H974) — “they test, they examine.” This word is used of assaying metals. God’s gaze separates what is genuine from what is false.

See also: Psalm 33:13-14; Habakkuk 2:20.

Psalms 11:5

God tests both the righteous and the wicked. For the righteous, testing proves and strengthens faith. For the wicked, it exposes them. The verse says plainly that God hates the one who loves violence, so His holiness is set against cruelty.

BSA: tests (“examines, proves”): God’s testing reveals what is truly in a person, whether faith or violence. violence (“cruelty, injustice, unfair treatment”): This is the harm done to others by those who use power unjustly.

Hebrew: שָׂנְאָה נַפְשׁוֹ (sāne’āh nafsho, H8130) — “His soul hates.” Saying that His very soul hates shows how deep God’s opposition to cruelty is. It is not a mild disapproval.

See also: James 1:12.

Psalms 11:6

The wicked will not escape. The picture of fiery coals, sulfur and a scorching wind recalls the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The wicked chose violence, and what is coming to them is their allotted portion, as though it were a cup handed to them.

BSA: portion (“allotted share”): Judgment is described as the share assigned to them, as if poured into their cup. sulfur (“brimstone”): Burning sulfur is a vivid sign of total, fiery judgment.

See also: Genesis 19:24; Psalm 75:8.

Psalms 11:7

The psalm ends on the character of God. Because He is righteous and loves justice, wrong will not stand forever. The great reward of the upright is not escape from trouble but to see His face, to live in His presence.

BSA: face (“presence, countenance”): Seeing God’s face means nearness to Him and His favor, the deepest joy of the faithful. loves (“has affection for, delights in”): God’s justice is not cold duty. He delights in what is right.

See also: Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2.