This morning we read Psalm 11 as a part of the church’s daily Bible reading plan for 2021-22, and I was struck by how much it reminded me of the circumstances of the past year. Many have become increasingly troubled by events around the world and the growing divisions within society. Although I can’t recall any specific instances of Psalm 11:3 being used, I have heard many similar sentiments expressed both in personal conversations and online interchanges: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Indeed, it does often seem as though the foundations of our society are crumbling, and there is nothing we can do about it. I understand why some take this verse as a description of a day very similar to our own and weep for the loss of the Judeo-Christian ethic on which our country was founded. But when we read Psalm 11 in its entirety and verse 3 in context, I think the psalmist is saying something quite different (and much better!).
A Psalm of David.
In Yahweh I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain? For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Yahweh is in His holy temple, Yahweh’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. Yahweh tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For Yahweh is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
Psalm 11:1-7
The title indicates that David is the author of this psalm, and he begins by expressing his confidence in the Lord in v.1a. This declaration is an overarching theme of the psalm. It is the conclusion, the application, the proper response of the believer in the face of wicked men who desire to destroy the believer. It is his statement of faith. He is not worried about the threat of his enemies, because he is confident in his God.
David then poses a question to his counselors who had apparently advised him to run to the hills to escape his present circumstances. But his question reveals that he has rejected their advice and plans to respond differently.
Contrary to some English versions, David’s quotation of his counselors does not end in v.1 but continues all the way through v.3. They are explaining why he should try to run away and hide, and give their evaluation of the gravity of David’s situation. There are bad people surrounding the righteous, plotting against them and scheming to destroy them by means of violence. In such a world, it seems impossible for good to prevail and justice to be done.
This is the context of the statement in v.3, but we must remember that this is a false statement made by those who profess to be men and women of faith. Their eyes are only on the enemies, the ones bending the bow, ready to let fly an arrow directly into his heart. They are fearful and worried, looking for a human solution (run away; escape) and despairing that there is any recourse for righteous people. They are ready to give up, because they believe that the wicked have won and no one is able to do anything about them.
It is precisely in this way that this verse is often used today, as if to say that things in America have gone so wrong that we have no hope for the future. Not only does this reflect a very Americanized version of Christian concern, but it fails to grasp the context and message of Psalm 11, which reminds us that God is worthy of our trust.
David’s response to his counselors is found in v.4-7: God is in heaven, seated upon his throne; he has not abdicated his place of authority, nor has he forgotten about his duty to act as a righteous Judge. The wicked are no threat to his throne, nor are they able to enter into his temple for it is holy. Their works are not done in secret, because he is enthroned above, and from his vantage point his eyes see everything that the wicked are doing to oppose his plans. Rather than fear and despair, the faithful believer is to remain confident in God’s perfect judgment.
The Lord distinguishes perfectly between the righteous and the wicked. The latter is characterized by his love of violence and brings on himself a violent end. The promise of raining fire and burning coals is the promise of divine condemnation, but that is to be their portion. They will drink the cup of God’s wrath for their sin, and it will be their destruction.
On the other hand, the righteous are like their Lord. He is righteous, and he loves righteousness, so he relates to those who follow him. There is a kinship between the Lord and his people, so that they have no fear of divine judgment.
When we look around us at the world today, we do see many disturbing trends, but rather than despair, the believer is called to trust in the Lord, the righteous Judge. He remains in control, and there is no reason to fear whatever our present circumstances. We are never to trust in princes or profits, but in the Lord who reigns supreme. Let us adopt David’s declaration of faith as our own today: “In Yahweh I put my trust.”