Psalm 11

(Psalms 11 KJV) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? {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. {3} If the foundations be 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 try, the children of men. {5} The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. {6} Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. {7} For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright."

A strange little psalm. The phrasing is strongly suggestive of music, as is the undeveloped thought. In poetry and music, more is suggested in the words than is actually said. The sentence, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" seems oddly out of place. But seeing this as a plea to the Lord to do something about he wicked, it makes sense. If the wicked succeed in hacking away at the very basis of right and wrong, what will be left?

The efforts of the wicked form a part of the trial of the righteous, but God still hates, not merely the evil done, but the very life of the evil doer. Strong stuff. And the reason for the fire and brimstone upon the head of the wicked is because the Just God loves justice. As the NIV puts it, "For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face."

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