Within a chronological Bible study, this interlude of psalms:
(Psalm 11:1) (To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David) In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain"?
David put his trust in the Lord. Therefore, how could anyone say to him, whether it be enemies, companions, or even thoughts within himself, that he should run away to a mountain for safety, when it was the Lord who was his safety and protection.
2) For lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may secretly shoot at the upright in heart.
The reason behind the suggestion that David should flee was that the wicked were making ready to attack, to secretly shoot upright men.
(3) If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
If the very foundations of law and justice are destroyed, what can the righteous people do? That is perhaps still the suggestions of the opposition or the weak in faith, even a temptation of oneself, that there's nothing one can do when evil is all around and the very foundations have been destroyed. That is, if one puts his trust in man and government...
(4) The Lord in His holy temple, the Lord's throne in heaven, His eyes behold, His eyelids try the children of men.
The Lord is in His church, with His people. His throne is in heaven where He sees all and searches the hearts of all. The Lord knows all, and all is in His control.
(5) The Lord tries the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence, His soul hates.
When the righteous go through trying times, the Lord is allowing that for our growth and refinement. Oh, that we should remember that and still hold fast to faith in Him, for we know that He hates the wicked and those who commit violence, and His righteous judgment will prevail.
(6) Upon the wicked He will rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest, the portion of their cup.
The Lord will rain snares upon the wicked, sometimes in their own traps they are caught. He will send His judgment upon them as a terrible storm, if not in this world, definitely in hellfire and brimstone in the next. Their portion which will be measured out to them in proportion to their sins, God, in righteous judgment, has appointed for them to drink.
(7) For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His countenance does behold the upright.
The Lord Himself is completely righteous, and therefore righteousness, as it lies both in punishing the wicked and in maintaining the righteous cause of His people, is loved by Him as it is agreeable to His nature. God's countenance beholds the upright; He looks with pleasure on them, takes delight in them, takes care of them, and protects and defends them, which was an encouragement to David to trust in the Lord.
Whether from outside sources or from thoughts within himself, this short psalm shows David's struggle with, and triumph over, a strong temptation to distrust God. That is a struggle we all find ourselves in from time to time, so the feelings are normal. However, like David, we must triumph over those feelings and put our trust in our only salvation, the Lord God.
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