the glory of true refuge

“To the choirmaster. Of David.
 1 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
 “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
 2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
 they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
 3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

 4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
 5 The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
 6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
 fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
 7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
 the upright shall behold his face.” - Psalm 11

Psalm 11 gives confidence to those who are faithful in the Lord that, even in a time of crisis, where fear can overtake you, the truth from this psalm can be something to lean on and find security in.  The psalmist has constantly expressed confidence in the Lord’s active work in the lives of the righteous and this psalm is no different. 

a refuge can be found in the Lord

The Psalm begins with the confession that the psalmist takes refuge in the Lord.  He knows that the wicked cannot shake his confidence by saying the righteous can do nothing against their schemes.  This is because the confidence of the righteous is not in themselves but rather in the Lord, God Almighty.  The wicked have confidence in their own strength and their own armies, while the righteous trust in the Lord alone.  In times of great distress this psalm can serve to be a reminder to us not to trust in our efforts but take refuge in the Lord.  There is true refuge to be found and it is glorious. 

the notice of the Lord

Then the psalmist moves to the second part of this short psalm and declares how the Lord acts towards the righteous and the wicked.  He begins by declaring again that the Lord is in His temple and on His throne in heaven. This tells us that the Lord is never shaken and nothing escapes His hand. His eye is on what is taking place in the world.  The psalmist tells us that He “test the children of man” (v. 4). The Lord tests both the righteous and the wicked.  His testing of the righteous is a chance for them to prove their faith and thus be strengthened and more perfect.  James tells us that this is why we should take joy in trials (James 1). Then the psalmists ends by letting us know that the Lord “hates the wicked” but “loves righteous deeds”  because He is righteous.  The wicked’s portion is “fire and sulfur and scorching winds” while the ”upright shall be hold His face.”  The end for the wicked is destruction and torment but the end for the righteous is glory upon glory. 

This truth allows us to take heart in times of trouble.  One day the resurrection of the dead will take place and the righteous will behold the glory of the Father and the Son while the wicked will perish.  And we find our righteous only by the righteousness of His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Halleluliah, What a Savior! 

- one who takes refuge in the Lord