In Psalm 11 The righteous take cover in God but the wicked hunts them.
Psalm 11: In this Psalm, King David, the writer considers the options for Christians when the spiritual foundations of a culture are destroyed. Then we are presented with a stunning truth. Though the Lord sits in heaven, He sees everything all of us are doing — all the time.
The righteous, those trying to follow the Lord have tests and challenges to endure to strengthen their faith. The wicked, those who resist and refuse the Lord’s path, face a future punishment that can be avoided. See here
And finally, those who follow and pass the tests along the way will see God face to face.
Bible prophecy 101: The Bible tells us what the future holds. This short and simple Psalm reveals the beautiful and brutal truth of God’s plan for mankind.
Psalm 11:1 Hide yourself in God’s cover.
“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 1. – In the Lord put I my trust; or, in the Lord have I taken refuge (Kay, Cheyne). Before his friends address him on the subject of his danger, David has himself recognized it and has fled to God for succor. How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? rather, flee ye, birds, to your mountain. Probably a proverbial expression, used when it was necessary to warn a man that in-flight lay his only safety. The singular (צִפור) is used collectively.
Psalm 11:2 The wicked hunt those who follow God
“For behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 2. – For, lo, the wicked bend their bow. The words are still those of timid friends. “Lo,” they say, “the ungodly are already bending the bow against thee” – preparing, i.e., to attempt thy life. They make ready their arrow upon the string; or, fit their arrow to the string. The last thing before discharging it. That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart; literally, that they may shoot amid darkness at the upright in heart (comp. 1 Samuel 19:1, 2, where, Saul having given orders to “all his servants, that they should kill David,” Jonathan persuades him to hide “until the morning”).
Psalm 11:3 Spiritual foundations are essential for living right
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 3. – If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The word translated” foundations” is a rare one, only occurring here and in Isaiah 19:10. The meaning of “foundations,” first given to it by Aquila, is now generally adopted. We must suppose the timid friends to be still speaking, and to mean that, under the lawless rule of Saul, the very foundations of society and of the moral order were swept away; the righteous (צַדִּיק, a collective) had done and could do nothing to prevent it. What remained for David, but to withdraw from a community where there was neither law nor order, where the first magistrate commanded (1 Samuel 19:1) and attempted (1 Samuel 19:10) assassination?
Psalm 11:4 The Lord, from heaven, see all of us
“The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 4. – The Lord is in his holy temple. David’s reply to his timid advisers is an expression of absolute faith and trust in God. Saul may reign upon earth, but Jehovah is in his holy temple (or rather, “palace,” הֵיכַל) on high – his throne is in heaven, where he sits and reigns. What need, then, to fear an earthly king? Especially when God is not inattentive to human affairs, but his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men (comp. Psalm 7:9, Psalm 17:3, Psalm 139:1). His “eyelids” are said to try men, because, when we closely scrutinize a thing, we drop our eyelids and half-close our eyes.
11:5 A test for the righteous
“The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 5. – The Lord trieth the righteous. God tries the righteous, scrutinizing them with his penetrating glance, but a glance wherein there is protection and love. When he tries (or closely scrutinizes) the wicked, the result is different – the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
11:6 Punishment for the wicked
“Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 6. – Upon the wicked, he shall rain snares. On Divine displeasure follows Divine punishment – not always speedy, but sure. Those who have plotted against David will have” snares rained” upon them. God is said to “rain” on men both his blessings and his curses when he gives them abundantly (comp. Job 20:23; Hosea 10:12; Ezekiel 34:26). By “snares” are meant any difficulties or troubles in which men are entangled by the action of Divine Providence. Fire and Brimstone.
The punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah
was the typical example of God’s vengeance to the Israelites generally. And a horrible tempest; literally, a breath of horrors (comp. Psalm 119:53; Lamentations 5:10). It is thought that the simoom may be intended. But none of the threats are to be taken literally. All that the psalmist means is that God’s vengeance, in some shape or ether, will overtake his persecutors. This shall be the portion of their cup. This is probably the earliest place where the metaphor of a “cup” for man’s lot in life is employed. Other instances are Psalm 16:5, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 73:10, Psalm 75:8, Psalm 116:13, Isaiah 51:17, 22; Jeremiah 25:15; Ezekiel 23:31, 32; Matthew 20:22, 23; Matthew 26:39; John 18:11.
11:7 Those who follow God will see him face to face
“For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 7. – For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; rather, for the Lord is righteous; he loveth righteousness (see the Revised Version); literally, righteousnesses; i.e. good and righteous deeds. His countenance doth behold the upright. So the LXX., the Vulgate, Hengstenberg, Bishop Horsley, and others; but the bulk of modern commentators prefer to render, “The upright will behold his countenance.” Either translation yields a good sense.
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White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.
Let me know what you think.