Psa. 11:0 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
The chief Musician would be the music director at the Temple. David is submitting a new worship song to be used by the temple musicians.
Psa. 11:1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
The Hebrew for the word trust is referencing YHWH as one to whom David “flees for protection.” Evidently, the Psalmist is responding to one of his advisors who is recommending that David flee to the mountains for safety. We aren’t told the specific time in David’s life that brought about the writing of this Psalm, but it must have been a time when he was in danger. In David’s mind, he needs no other protection than that which YHWH provides. It is a powerful statement of faith.
Psa. 11:2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
“wicked” = morally wrong, bad person
“privily” = dusk, darkness, obscurity
In this verse David is making a statement about cowardly wicked men who make sneak attacks upon innocent, upright men. (This sure brings to mind the way the terrorists of today act.) David was not a perfect man by any means, but he was secure in his relationship to the LORD. He knew that he was an upright man in heart; his desire was to do the things pleasing to the LORD. Scripture affirms that his assessment was valid.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Psa. 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
“foundations” = a basis, political or moral support, purpose
David knew that if he could not live his life according to the faith in God (He who is morally right) that he claimed as his support and purpose for living, then he was living a lie. If God is not the refuge and protection of the man of faith, that man is on his own against the attacks of wicked men.
Spurgeon: “There is no such word as "impossibility" in the language of faith; that martial grace knows how to fight and conquer, but she knows not how to flee.”
Psa. 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
“try” = test, investigate, examine, prove
David is confident that YHWH is on His throne in the temple in heaven. (Note: This tells me that he understood the truth that was depicted in the design of the tabernacle/temple.) This is another statement of the righteousness, power and authority of YHWH; the “holy temple” speaks of His holy and righteous character, while the throne speaks of His power and authority. God is aware of the actions of mankind. God’s testing speaks more to me of His dealings with men of faith rather than the wicked. God is the One in authority. He doesn’t cause wicked men to act wickedly, but it is only by His permission that their wickedness can be directed against the man of faith. Is this proving something to God about that man of faith? No; He knows all about us—even the thoughts and intents of our heart. It is an opportunity for that man/woman to grow in their faith as they trust God to bring about His purpose through that time of testing.
1Chr. 28:9 …for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts…
Psa. 11:5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
This verse seems to affirm the conclusion I made in the previous verse. By the wording, it would seem that when the LORD tests a man, it is linked to His love for that person. Why would that be? Because He is working to produce growth in our faith in Him, which in turn will result in our living better lives in obedience to Him. Just like any good parent, God desires His children to be the best that they can be and for them to store up “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). The fact that testing is ascribed to the LORD indicates that He is in control of the type, duration and intensity of the testing allowed. He knows what His child can endure and just how much is needed to accomplish His purpose(s) for that testing.
When we consider the subject of God’s testing of men, I think we usually think about it in the terms of the individual who is placed in the crucible. What I have learned through the years is that God’s testing of an individual is most often also a test for many others who are connected to that individual. For example, Job’s companions learned from the trials of Job’s testing just as surely as he did; they didn’t know as much as they thought they did. Joseph’s brothers learned a very important spiritual truth because Joseph was tested--God is always in control.
Job 42:7-8 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
Genesis 45:4-5 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
Scripture is very clear about the things that God hates.
Proverbs 6:16-18 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Note that this list includes more than overt actions; it includes the attitudes and intents of the heart.
Psa. 11:6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
“tempest” = wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, anger…
“cup” = a lot (as if a potion); (Webster) potion = a poisonous draught
The terms “fire and brimstone” make me think of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and of the lake of fire.
Gen. 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven…
Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The “horrible tempest” seems to be a reference to God’s anger. The “portion of their cup” seems to be a reference to a lethal dose of God’s anger.
Psa. 11:7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
“behold” = contemplate with pleasure
Just as scripture is clear about what God hates; it is clear about what He loves.
Psalm 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment…
Psalm 87:2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion.
2Corinthians 9:7 … for God loveth a cheerful giver.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son…
John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.
Righteousness includes everything that is right, morally virtuous, pure and holy. Although God hates the wicked (includes willful, rebellious action or thinking), He loves the sinner (the condition of all men before God); in fact, He loves the sinner so much that He sent His Son Jesus as man’s Redeemer. He loves His Son Jesus and everyone who loves His Son (which again points back to the righteous). He loves those He chastens; if He didn’t care, He wouldn’t bother.
When God looks down upon the upright (the righteous), He is pleased. He may not be pleased with some of our actions, but He is pleased with our desire to serve Him and obey Him. He is pleased with a repentant and broken spirit when we fail. He is pleased with our desire to share His truth with others. He is pleased when we exhibit faith in His love and His word without doubt. He is pleased when we show love to others—especially our enemies.
Psalm 147:11 “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Luke 6:35 “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Psa. 12:0 ¶ To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.
The Hebrew for “Sheminith” defines it as “eight.” The NLT, NAS and WEB translate this as an eight-stringed instrument. Young Translates it as on the octave. The CJB indicates that it could reference a low-pitched instrument.
Again, this is a composition David gave to the head of the temple music ministry.
Psa. 12:1 ¶ Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
At this point in David’s life he is disturbed at the decreasing number of people who are living their lives in submission to the LORD. It seems to him as though men of faith and obedience to God are quickly disappearing.
I can certainly identify with David’s heart. There seems to be a significant difference to me in the numbers of people who attend church regularly, and there are very few churches that teach the whole counsel of God verse by verse. Today’s “Christians” seem to be more interested in fellowship and social service than in equipping themselves through the study of God’s word and investing in their personal relationship to Him. Many are beginning to place more emphasis on experience than on truth. Many are even denying the truth and inerrancy of the word of God. Following are some interesting statistics I found at www.religioustolerance.org from an article that was updated as of 2006.
The percentage of American adults who identify themselves as Christians dropped from 86% in 1990 to 77% in 2001. This is an unprecedented drop of almost 1 percentage point per year. Pew Research Center has updated that figure to 65% as of October 2019.
At the present rates of change, Islam will become the dominant religion in the world before 2050.
At the present rate of change, most Americans would identify themselves as non-religious or non-Christian by the year 2035.
The numbers of "unchurched" people has increased rapidly in the U.S. These are individuals who have not attended church in recent months.
Agnosticis, Atheists, and secularists are growing rapidly.
More interesting statistics re Americans from www.barna.org.
71% of those who attended high school or less believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings compared with 52% of those who have graduated from college. (2006)
59% of adults living in the South strongly affirm that the bible is accurate in all of its teachings versus 50% of those in the Midwest, 42% in the West and 37% in the Northeast. (2006)
More than half of all adults (53%) believe that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in Heaven. (2007)
Gallup (news.Gallup.com) reported some disturbing statistics in May 2017 from those identifying as Christians:
Only 30% believe the Bible to be the actual word of God.
Only 50% believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God.
14% believe that the Bible is just a book of fables.
Psa. 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
The Hebrew for “vanity” makes reference to evil, deceptive and lying. “Flattering lips” are a reference to false or insincere praise, and a “double heart” is deceitful. David is saying that less and less people can be trusted. Deception and lies are becoming the norm rather than the exception among men. Things haven’t changed much since David’s time in that regard.
Psa. 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Psa. 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Most of the translations word the beginning as a cry from the heart of David for God to act in judgment against these evil men, and that makes more sense to me. These people are so full of pride that they feel they can accomplish anything with their deceptive, lying but skillful use of words. They don’t feel accountable to God or anyone else.
It is obvious from the next verse that these men focus on taking advantage of the poor and needy among God’s children. I can’t help but think of those today who claim to be ministers of God and blanket the airwaves and fill arenas with just such a mindset.
Psa. 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
The Spirit inspires David with an answer from the LORD. He is totally aware of what is going on. He will intervene on behalf of those who are being robbed and mistreated through the skillful manipulation of these smooth talkers. (We would call them “snake oil salesmen.”)
Psa. 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
As God promises to intervene, David is reminded that God’s word is pure—without deceit, holy. David paints a picture of the purity of God’s word by comparing it to silver that has gone through the furnace of purification seven times. The number seven in scripture represents completeness and emphasizes the purity of God’s word; it does not contain one iota of deception; it is completely pure.
Psa. 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Psa. 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
When wicked men are the ones held in esteem, the wicked become bolder in their evil practices. In spite of that truth, David knows that poor and needy among God’s people are protected and secure in the LORD as declared by His promise in verse 5 and guaranteed by the purity of His word as expressed in verse 6.
David doesn’t necessarily understand why wicked men are being allowed to prosper, but he doesn’t let that fact affect his faith in God. He knows that God will provide salvation for His own and will judge the wicked. I think he knew the truth expressed by the psalmist Asaph.
Psalm 73:11-17 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.