Psalms 11 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Psalm 11

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

To the choirmaster. Of David.

11:1   In the LORD I take refuge;
  how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2   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;
3   if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”¹
4   The LORD is in his holy temple;
    the LORD’s throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5   The LORD tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6   Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7   For the LORD is righteous;
  he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face.

Footnotes

[1] 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done?

Commentary

God as Judge, and the fate of the wicked. Psalm 7 may have been written at the same time.

v1: In a hostile, godless environment, God is our refuge. The response of some is to flee, fearing destruction and loss, 1 Sam 20.3; Jer 9.2.

v2: The severity of the attacks of the wicked. Their hearts are set on destroying the godly.

v3: The foundations of Israel were righteous laws and godly standards. As similar foundations in the church are destroyed, we are tempted to flee into isolation.

v4-5: The proper, spiritual response; we trust in the God who knows and who rules. He tests the righteous, and He knows those who are His.

v6: The Lord as Judge, as in Ps 7.8, 11.

v7: The Lord is righteous, and He loves the righteous; the righteous enjoy fellowship with Him.