DAWN

     Explanation: In Psalm 11 David expresses his confidence that the LORD will protect him and judge his enemies. The occasion for the Psalm is unspecified, but it was a time of persecution such as those under Saul, early in David's life or his son Absalom, later in his life. In his opening statement, David acknowledges a refuge that is greater than any he can find by flight (such as that depicted above) -- it is refuge in God himself.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 19-31. 2 Samuel 15-18. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 11 - #1. Psalm 11 - #2. ]

     David begins the Psalm by stating that he has a greater refuge (the LORD himself) than any he can find by fleeing to some mountain stronghold, as some advised him to do. Their warning was of imminent danger to David. The wicked had bent their bow and placed their arrow upon its string. They were ready to shoot secretly at the upright in heart. And, if they destroyed the foundations, what cold the righteous do? The implication was that David could, at any moment, loose everything, including his life (1-3). But David looked to the LORD, where the LORD sat in his holy temple, enthroned in heaven, and from which his eyes searched the children of men. He tried the righteous (by implication finding them innocent). But upon the wicked and the violent the LORD will rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a "horrible tempest" or a "scorching wind." That will be the portion of their cup because the "righteous LORD loves righteousness; his countenance beholds the upright" (4-7).

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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]