August 31, 2016 (Wednesday)
The setting of this psalm is the period of David’s life when King Saul was relentlessly threatening and attempting to kill him. David would not defend himself or harm God’s anointed king, but he rejected the suggestion that he flee in fear, considering that to be an act of unbelief and cowardice. The king’s madness grew worse daily, but David had responsibilities in the king’s court and would not forsake his duties. David resolved to accept danger, confident that God would protect him. Later on he would flee the king’s senseless wrath, but only when he knew it was God’s will for him to do so. (1 Samuel 17-20)
Psalm 11
I. I Will Fear No Evil (vv 1-3)
II. You Are With Me (vv 4-6)
III.I will Trust You (vs 7)
Psalm 11 New International Version (NIV)
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.
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.
1-3 I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now when you say, “Run to the mountains; the evil bows are bent, the wicked arrows aimed to shoot under cover of darkness at every heart open to God. The bottom’s dropped out of the country; good people don’t have a chance”?
4-6 But God hasn’t moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn’t changed. He’s in charge, as always, his eyes taking everything in, his eyelids unblinking, examining Adam’s unruly brood inside and out, not missing a thing. He tests the good and the bad alike; if anyone cheats, God’s outraged. Fail the test and you’re out, out in a hail of firestones, drinking from a canteen filled with hot desert wind.
7 God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.
I. David makes God his confidence.(vs 1)
II. He resents the suggestion to flee. vs 2-4a)
III. God perfectly knows every man’s true character: (vs 4b)
IV. If God afflicts good people, it is for their good,(vs 5)
V. Persecutors may prosper a while, but will suffer God’s wrath. (vs 6)
VI.Honest, good people may suffer, yet God blesses them. (vs 7)