Read Psalm 11:
To the choirmaster. Of David.
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?”
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.
Understand Psalm 11:
I. Tested by Fear (vv. 1-3)
Fear always tests the heart. For though our God is a shelter in the storm (v. 1a), the wicked point our confidence away from him. David felt like a helpless bird being hunted by the archers. He admitted the danger was real and his enemies were strong, but rebuked those who counseled him to seek refuge apart from God (vv. 1b-3). That “the foundations are destroyed” meant societal collapse (see 82:5; Ezek 30:4), for David’s world seemed to be crumbling. Yet he continued to proclaim: “In the LORD I take refuge” (Ps 11:1a). Where do we turn when we are tested by fear?
II. Tried by Fire (vv. 4-6)
Our God’s throne room in heaven depicts his transcendent power over all creation, while his earthly temple depicts immanent accessibility (v. 4a). He is the sovereign King and the Judge of all mankind; the protector of the righteous and the punisher of the wicked (v. 5). Yet he is also present with his people, receptive to our prayers, and ready to save. The omniscient God is not blind to the sins of man, but records every injustice for the final account (v. 4b; Prov 15:3). His holy fire tests each heart like precious metal (Ps 11:5) both to purify the righteous (see 72:7; 92:12) and to judge the wicked (see 5:4).
David piled up metaphors of judgment for sin (11:6). “Fire and sulfur” conjured up God’s destruction of unrepentant Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; see Deut 29:23; Ezek 38:22; Luke 17:28-32; 2 Pet 2:6-9). The “scorching wind” depicted a blistering gale, the sirocco, which swept across Palestine to wither the crops. “The portion of their cup” alluded to the cup of wrath which God would force the wicked to drink to the dregs (see Ps 116:13; Isa 51:17, 22-23). The same God of fire who purified the righteous would also judge the wicked.
Likewise, God sovereignly places us in fiery trials to test our character—to see what we are made of. He wants to show us what he already knows: Are we righteous or wicked? Are we precious metal or impure dross? If the Lord is our refuge and Redeemer, then his fire will only burn off the parts of us that do not belong to him. Thus, every trial is a test of our faith. If we believe that life is random or that it’s out to get us, we will succumb to fatalistic thinking. If we believe that we can handle life on our own, we will eventually encounter trials which disprove our humanistic faith. Only when we trust in our loving and sovereign God, will we pass the test of the trials he has given us.
III. Transformed by Faith (v. 7)
The psalm ends just as it began with our focus on the Lord (v. 7). Believers take refuge in the Lord because he is righteous, because he loves justice, and because “the upright will behold his face.” That final phrase points us to the future resurrection. As Jesus taught and as Paul affirmed, our existence continues beyond this earthly life (John 11:25-26). One day, we shall see God “face to face” (1 Cor 13:12). “We shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2; see Rev 22:4). Yet how can sinners be counted among the righteous? How can we claim this promised resurrection?
- Consider Christ, who alone was perfectly righteous—the only man upright in heart.
- Consider Christ, who did not flee like a bird when the wicked plotted in the shadows to take his life.
- Consider Christ, who drank the cup of wrath on our behalf and endured the fires of judgment in our place.
- Consider Christ, whose death appeared to be the crumbling of foundations: “What can the righteous do?”
- At the cross, Christ showed himself to be both righteous and condemned; both the justifier and the Judge.
- At the cross, Christ became our refuge in a fallen world—the final victor over sin and death.
- At the cross, he took our sin and gave to us his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21).
- So let us remember when life is dark and our foundations appear to be crumbling that “the upright shall behold his face.”
Apply Psalm 11:
- In what ways have you grown as you have studied the psalms? What can you do to intentionally further that growth?
- Why does God use fear as a test of your faith? What are some examples in your life when fear compelled you to wisely retreat? When was it wise to stand your ground? Describe some examples in Scripture of godly responses to fearful situations.
- Consider your present trial of faith. How is the Lord seeking to refine your character or to strengthen your dependence on him? Thank the Lord in prayer for the trials he has given you.
- Psalm 11:7 presents three reasons to seek refuge in the Lord. Consider how each one contributes to a transformative faith:
- God’s attributes: The Lord is righteous.
- God’s actions: He loves righteous deeds.
- God’s assurance: The upright shall behold his face.
Pray Psalm 11:
- Lord, teach me when to flee and when to remain in faith (vv. 1b-3)
- Protect me from the forces of evil which assault me daily (v. 2)
- Remind me of your sovereign power and all-seeing wisdom (v. 4)
- Test me, Lord, and refine my heart in righteousness (v. 5)
- Keep my heart focused on eternity (v. 7)
Counsel Psalm 11:
Fellow believers encounter real dangers in this fallen world. At times, it may be wise for them to flee, but it is never wise to run from God. Teach them to trust the Lord as their refuge and strength. Show them that he is both transcendent to judge and immanent to help. His fiery holiness both purifies the righteous and condemns the wicked.
