FRAMING THE PSALMS: PSALM 11
Aids to introduce the psalms sung in worship.
John Brown of Haddington, 18th century Scottish theologian.
Behold
here, (1.) David, tempted by his timorous friends to escape to some mountain,
and hide himself from the fury of Saul, or of Absalom, as if that were his only
safe course now when his enemies were exerting themselves to the uttermost, and
all things were in disorder and confusion, ver. 1-3. (2.) David baffling the
temptation by a resolute profession of his trust in God, as the observer of all
men; as the holy and righteous punisher of the wicked, and friend of the godly,
ver. 4-7.
Let
no temptation decoy me from my duty. Let no danger deter me from it. While
Jehovah, my reconciled God and Father, manageth and judgeth the world, my
safest course is to commit myself to him in well-doing. Let the just vengeance
of God upon sinners deter my heart from sinning, and his kindness to his people
encourage me to holiness in all manner of conversation.
John Cumming, 19th century
Scottish Presbyterian.
The
Psalmist, under the pressure of outward distress and inward trial, overcomes
his invitations and tendency to seek refuge in any thing below, and resolves to
trust entirely on his God.
David
reasons with his own heart, in verse 3, and sets forth the worst possible state
of things in which the people of God may be placed ; and yet he finds consolation
and confidence in the great truth, that the righteous are not only, at all
times and under all circumstances, seen, but favoured and protected of God, and
destined to triumph in the end. He remembers the destiny of Sodom and Gomorrah,
once wealthy and flourishing, but now burned up and destroyed ; and then the destiny
of Lot, for a season in trouble, but now in heaven.
Trust in God is the surest
refuge in trouble.
William King Tweedie, 19th century
Free Church of Scotland. See: http://ecclegen.com/disruption-worthies-3/#Tweedie,William King
In
times of calamity to the Church and people of God,
this psalm may be sung to encourage the soul in seeking and expecting
deliverance from God.
Ver. 1–5 The believer’s safety amid assaults - the Lord is his
defence. Ver. 6-7 The portion of the
wicked – divine favour for the upright.
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