Read Psalm 11
For the director of music. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.
Go Deeper
Protection provides peace. This is a simple truth that has a profound impact on our lives. Whenever we don’t feel protected, we’ll be prone to anxious thoughts and sleepless nights. We’ve all had moments where we feel a lack of protection when our finances aren’t steady, our health is disrupted, or our standing at our job is in question. Whenever these things are going awry, it’s hard to have peace because we don’t feel protected.
In other words, our protection comes from our circumstances. In Psalm 11 we read about one of these situations where it seems like David’s protection has been removed. His enemies are after him and have him in their sights. David should be panicked. David should be on the run. David should be frustrated with God. But he isn’t.
In the midst of his dangerous circumstances, David is still at peace. He finds rest in the presence of his enemies because he knows that, “the LORD is righteous, he loves justice, the upright will see his face” (v. 7). Even though David’s situation seems out of control, his demeanor remains steady. He’s at peace because he believes the eyes of the Lord are on him and the power of God is with him.
Since David doesn’t find his protection from anything in the world, the world can’t take it away. He knows that his only true security can be found in the King who has never met an enemy too powerful. Therefore, although David’s life is at risk, he’s still at rest. Whenever we face chaos in our lives we can live with the same sort of confidence. We’re protected by the God of angel armies, and because of that we can live at peace.
Questions
Why do you think David was so confident in the Lord?
What does this chapter teach you about the character of God?
Where do you look for protection?
By the way
David references the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah here in v. 6 where he talks about the raining of fiery coals and burning sulfur. You can read more about that story in Genesis 19.
5 responses to “Psalm 11”
2 to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.
It is naive and pollyannaish for me to go through my days thinking that I am without enemies. I should not live in paranoia, but aware, knowing that God is my protection.
Trusting God in all circumstances.
What are the righteous to do? God is my refuge and I will not hide.
LOOK UP, repent, and make a difference.
Be a difference maker. When the world comes at us with all the craziness that is going on, dont be a ostrich, show the love of God.
“Psalm 11 is a Psalm for our time. It is God’s word to us through the words of David. It shows us how to struggle-on and trust God in the midst of a crisis and tremendous difficulty. And, it points us to David’s greater descendant …
… the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).” Peter Orr
God thank You for such at time as this. You have given me the tools in my tool box to search Your word, to make it my own, to LOVE with a Hesed love, to shema hear, to rightly divide Your word, to look up all the time. God thank You that I can pray as much as possible and that You want and desire that. God thank You for Your word being a lamp on my feet and a light on my path. God thank You for this day and these minutes of this day. God continue to show me how to live in my topsy turvy world. God I am clinging through challenges and giving You glory and honor for the minutes. God, oh how I love You, it is truly an unexplainable, incomprehensible, overflowing, ecstatic joy. God help me to love and to see all through Your love goggles today in Jesus name amen.
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice;
the upright will see his face” (7).
Whatever battle faced, the upright can remain confident of God’s righteousness and justice. We need NOT take matters into our own hands but resolutely look up and see his face. His rule and reign are unmatched.
As I read Psalm 11, especially the question, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” this is what stood out to me:
When the foundations feel like they’re being destroyed, we can flee the chaos, try to force order ourselves, or return our focus to the Author of Order.
Because when God is our true foundation, then what feels like “everything falling apart” is not actually ultimate — He is not shaken, and neither is our security in Him.
By keeping our eyes on Him, we find peace and purpose in every circumstance.