PSALM 11:1-7THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST–PSALM 11:1-7
Introduction:
In this psalm David is tempted to flee from the persecution of King Saul. His life was in danger and the temptation to run from danger challenged his confidence in God.
“The psalm’s message is as follows: faced with the temptation to flee at a time when lawful authority was being destroyed, the psalmist held fast to his faith in the Lord, who will ultimately destroy the wicked whom He hates and deliver the righteous whom He loves.” —The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
I. DAVID IS TEMPTED TO FLEE FROM PERSECUTION
A. The righteous soul is vexed by the ungodly deeds of the lost, 2 Peter 2:7-8, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8-(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”
B. My trust is in the Lord, v. 1; Psalm 7:1, “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”
1. The Lord has never forsaken His people, Psalms 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
2. Let me not be ashamed before my enemies, Psalms 25:2, “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”
C. How can my enemies say to me to flee like a bird?
1. They said the same to the Lord, Luke 13:31, “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.”
2. David often pictured himself as a bird:
a. David in prosperity, when commanding was like an EAGLE, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
b. In adversity, when despised, like an OWL, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
c. In devotion, when retired, like a PELICAN, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
d. In solitariness, when having no company, (of Saul), like a PARTRIDGE, 1 Samuel 26:20, “Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
3. My enemies make themselves ready in private, v. 2; Psalms 37:14, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.”
D. The foundations had been destroyed, v. 3:
1. Saul had destroyed the justice system of his day, Psalms 82:5, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
2. David was “The restorer of paths to dwell in,” Isaiah 58:12, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
II. DAVID DEMONSTRATES HIS FAITH IN THE LORD
A. David declare the source of his unflinching courage, v. 4; Psalms 18:6, ‘In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
B. God tries or refines the righteous, v. 5; Psalms 17:3, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
1. God exercises the righteous by afflictions, Zechariah 13:9, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”
2. Blessed is the man that endures trials, James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [takes trials patiently]: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
C. The wicked have only judgment to look forward to, vv. 5-6;
1. God hates and punishes sin, Isaiah 24:17, “Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.”
2. God cannot stand sin in His presence, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”
D. The overwhelming reason why we should be steadfast, v. 7; Psalms 5:12, “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
1. He blesses us with His presence in our lives, Psalms 33:18, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;”
2. His ears are open to our prayers, 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
3. He forgives all of our sins, Psalms 25:18, “Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.”
CONCLUSION:
This is truly the song of Steadfastness. David was encouraged by the Lord during his difficult trials and remains steadfast. We have the same encouragement from the Word of God to remain firm in our convictions and trust the Lord in difficult times. After all the difficult time are merely exercises in faithfulness for us.