Psalm 11
The first part of this Psalm shows questions of doubt that an enemy is trying to put into a believer. Or perhaps it is a question of doubt the believer himself is asking.
“In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountain? For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have set their arrow on the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ ”
These dark questions are what we commonly fear. They suggest: You should retreat, the wicked are working, they do it in secret, no one sees, if the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?
The rest of the psalm answers the doubts.
“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the sons of mankind. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked and His soul hates one who loves violence. He will rain coals of fire upon the wicked, and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous. [Yet] He loves righteousness; the upright will see His face.”
God still reigns in heaven and earth. God sees all; God tries everybody. He hates and will punish the wicked. God sees and will reward the upright.
It is easy to doubt in the dark times, the times of trial. This psalm reminds us God sees, reigns, and takes action against the wicked and for the righteous. To relieve the doubt we must remember He loves righteousness; the upright will see His face.
