In The LORD I Take Refuge

[Ps 11:1-7]

Ps 11:1-7 (NASB) In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain; [2] For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness 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 behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. [5] The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates. [6] Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. [7] For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

Now let me insert some of my notes into this Psalm:

Ps 11:1-7 (NASB) In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain;

The word “soul” is talking about your mind, will, and emotions.

Those who trust in the Lord don’t even think about taking flight to the mountains. We listen to the Lord and keep our thoughts on His word. (Ps 9:10; 56:10; Isa 26:3).

[2] For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.

Psalms 10:4 tells us that pride drives wicked people’s actions. In all their thoughts they have no room for God.

They are only thinking of themselves and will take advantage of anyone in any way that works to their advantage.

The wicked may bend their bow and make ready their arrows, but so has God (Ps 7:12-13). God’s bow is bigger and stronger. Who do you think will stand?

The wicked specifically target the upright in heart. It’s not just liberal versus conservative, or left versus right. The bottom line is that it’s the wicked versus the righteous.

[3] If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Verse two says that it’s the wicked against the upright, that’s at the core of all social problems. This verse is saying that if the ungodly wins this battle, the righteous are in trouble.

So it is today. The bottom line of all social classes is godly against ungodly. It’s a moral battle, a spiritual battle. And if the society supports the ungodly, the righteous will suffer.

[4] The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.

Test = to examine, try, to prove. Note that God is not “temping” with His eyelids, He is seeing or watching.

The heavens are not able to contain the Lord (1Kg 8:27; 2Chr 2:6; 6:18), yet He humbled Himself and dwelt among man through the Old Testament tabernacle (Ex 20:21) and temple (2Chr 7:16). Now He lives in the heart of every one of us believers (Jn 14:16-20). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16-17; 6:19), and the Lord is in us (Heb 13:5).

[5] The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Tests = to examine, try, to prove.

Wicked = evil, wicked, guilty, criminal.

Verse four speaks of the Lord examining or inspecting the children of men. This verse shows that the righteous and the wicked are both tried; there is deliverance for the righteous (Ps 11:7), while the wicked are hated of the Lord.

[6] Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.

Since Jesus’s atonement, we live in a day of grace. Even on the ungodly, God is not releasing His wrath as He did here in the Old Testament. But a day is coming when those who reject His grace will encounter the full power of His wrath (Heb 10:31).

[7] For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.

See Ps 33:18; 34:15.

My confession is:

I take authority over my thoughts! As the wicked get their arrows ready to shoot at the upright in heart, I am determined not to be distracted into a fleshly battle. I trust in the Lord and do not run for the hills. Even though the foundations are shaken and I am in trouble, I will stand against the enemy. They have not shaken the Lord off His throne! I refuse to speak bad words against my enemies. I will pray for the prideful and bless them while there is grace.

The weapons of my warfare are not physical, but on a spiritual level, locked and loaded! I am able to pull down any argument against my faith. You cannot make me think, “Flee as a bird to the mountain.” In the LORD I seek refuge!

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond