Psalm 11

August 17, 2015

Yahweh is just and righteous (Ps 11:4-11:7)

“Yahweh is in his holy temple.

Yahweh’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes behold.

His gaze examines humankind.

Yahweh tests the righteous and the wicked.

His soul hates the lover of violence.

On the wicked

He will rain coals of fire and sulfur.

Scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

Yahweh is righteous.

Yahweh loves righteous deeds.

The upright shall behold his face.”

Yahweh is in his holy temple on his heavenly throne. He sees and gazes on the whole world. He tests both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. Thus he sends coals of fire and sulfur on these wicked ones. He sends scorching winds on the evil ones. Yahweh is righteous and loves righteous deed. Thus the reward of the just is that they shall see his face.

August 17, 2015

Confidence in Yahweh (Ps 11:1-11:3)

“To the choirmaster leader, of David.

‘In Yahweh I take refuge.

How can you say to me?

‘Flee like a bird to the mountains!

Look!

The wicked bend the bow!

They have fitted their arrows to the string,

They shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.

If the foundations are destroyed,

What can the righteous do?’”

Once again in Psalm 11, the theme of confidence dominates. The opening remarks are only to the choirmaster leader as this is a generic psalm of David. David or the psalmist takes refuge in Yahweh. Are you really safe if you fly to a mountain like a bird? The faithful ones are often compared to birds. Mountains were considered a safe place. However, the problem was more immediate as the wicked ones had their bow and arrows ready to shoot at them. They could shoot in the dark. What can the righteous ones do?