Psalm 11, The Davidic Refrain

For the director of music. Of David.

This header probably means that the psalm is written by David, but the interpretation "for David" is also possible.

Psalm 11: 1a, Refuge

In the LORD I take refuge.

This is David's theme, for this psalm, and throughout the psalms. Repeatedly David tells YHWH, "I stake my life on your protection" and then asks for help.

Psalm 11: 1b-3, Flee? No!

How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain.

For look, the wicked bend their bows; 

they set their arrows against the strings 

to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

When the foundations are being destroyed, 

what can the righteous do?"

In contrast to the theme, David, in the first three verses, is given panicky advice.  "Flee, bird, to the mountains!"  The world is in ruin, "what can the righteous do?" (Or, an alternate translation: "What is the Righteous One doing?")

There are always people who forecasting disaster and ruin. Here David is warned that the wicked are lurking in the gloom, in the dark shadows, to fire on the upright.

The individuals warning about the power and deceit of "the wicked" presumably claim some type of moral high ground.  It is, presumably, other "righteous" people who are saying, "All is lost!"

Psalm 11: 4-6, YHWH examines manking

The LORD is in his holy temple; 

the LORD is on his heavenly throne. 

He observes the sons of men; 

his eyes examine them.

The LORD examines the righteous, 

but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.

On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; 

a scorching wind will be their lot.

But David calms himself and remembers that God is on his throne and the LORD is active and watching.  The "foundations" are not being destroyed if they rest on the "holy temple", ie. the presence of God.

Verse 4 is quoted by the prophet Habakkuk, who writes (Habakkuk 2: 20), "The Lord is in his holy temple" and adds, "let all the earth keep silent before Him."

(What Old Testament event is David probably remembering in verse 6?  See Genesis 19: 24.)

Psalm 11: 7, Upright people will see the Righteous One

 For the LORD is righteous, 

he loves justice; 

upright men will see his face.

The psalm ends with resolution.  Calmly we are reminded: God is righteous.  Just as God sees all of humanity (verse 4), so, in reverse, the righteous will see the face of God.

We are reminded that God is at work and on the side of the "upright", opposed to injustice.  This should be very encouraging and should allow us to resist the various "apocalyptic" voices of our age. But David's psalm does not leave room for us to relax and just say, "God is in charge. It will be OK."  As other psalms and other parts of the Old & New Testaments make clear, there is an obligation to be involved in promoting justice, protecting the poor and the oppressed.  A first step is to understand that Seeking Justice is possible, that this fight is winnable. Instead of running from injustice, we should understand that "The Lord loves justice".  Seeking and promoting justice is an important role of the citizens of God's kingdom.