Psalms 11
BSB1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain! 2 For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows 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 is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. 5 The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence. 6 On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion. 7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.
Study Notes — Psalms 11
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Themes from Psalms 11
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 11
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Psalms 11 begins with the psalmist expressing his trust in God, despite the counsel of others to flee from danger (Psalms 11:1-3). He affirms God's righteous character and His ability to see all things (Psalms 11:4-5). The psalmist then contrasts the wicked, who are opposed to God and His people, with the righteous, who are upheld by God (Psalms 11:6-7). The chapter concludes with a statement of confidence in God's salvation and a call to trust in Him (Psalms 11:7). Throughout the chapter, the psalmist emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, even in turbulent times.
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 11 is part of the first book of Psalms, which includes Psalms 1-41. This book is a collection of psalms that express trust in God's sovereignty and justice, and call believers to trust in Him. The chapter is likely a response to the psalmist's experience of opposition and danger, and is a call to trust in God's salvation. The themes of Psalms 11 are consistent with the overall message of the Psalms, which emphasize the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
Heart Application
As we read Psalms 11, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, even in turbulent times. We are called to affirm God's righteous character, and to trust in His salvation. This chapter encourages us to look to God as our ultimate hope, and to trust in His goodness and love.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 11 is a chapter about trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, even when things seem bad. The psalmist says that God is in control and sees everything, and that we should trust in Him. This chapter reminds us to look to God as our hope and to trust in His goodness and love, as seen in Psalms 11:4 and Psalms 11:7.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord is in His holy temple, and He sees all that is done upon the earth. Let this truth be a comfort to you, dear believer, and a warning to you, dear sinner.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The psalmist's trust in God is not based on human reason or experience, but on the revelation of God's character and promises. Let us learn to trust in God's sovereignty and justice, and to look to Him as our ultimate hope.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction: The Psalmist's Trust (Psalms 11:1-3) — The psalmist expresses his trust in God, despite the counsel of others to flee from danger.
- The Psalmist's Affirmation of God's Sovereignty (Psalms 11:4-5) — The psalmist affirms God's righteous character and His ability to see all things.
- The Contrast between the Wicked and the Righteous (Psalms 11:6-7) — The psalmist contrasts the wicked, who are opposed to God and His people, with the righteous, who are upheld by God.
- The Call to Trust (Psalms 11:7) — The chapter concludes with a call to trust in God's salvation, which is the ultimate hope of all believers.
- Conclusion: The Importance of Trusting in God — The psalmist's trust in God is a model for all believers, and reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- Psalms 11 teaches us that God is in control of all things, and that His sovereignty is the foundation of our trust and confidence in Him.
- The Justice of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's righteous character, which is the foundation of His justice and salvation.
- The Importance of Trust
- The psalmist's trust in God is a model for all believers, and reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- The chapter's emphasis on trusting in God's salvation is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is our only hope for salvation.
Themes from Psalms 11
- Trust in God's Sovereignty — The psalmist's trust in God is a model for all believers, and reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
- The Justice of God — The chapter emphasizes God's righteous character, which is the foundation of His justice and salvation.
- The Importance of Trust — The psalmist's trust in God is a model for all believers, and reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ — The chapter's emphasis on trusting in God's salvation is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is our only hope for salvation.
- The Call to Trust — The chapter concludes with a call to trust in God's salvation, which is the ultimate hope of all believers.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways that you can trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even in turbulent times?
- How does the psalmist's affirmation of God's righteous character encourage you to trust in Him?
- What are some ways that you can contrast the wicked and the righteous in your own life, and trust in God's salvation?
- How does the chapter's call to trust in God's salvation encourage you to look to Him as your ultimate hope?
- What are some ways that you can apply the psalmist's trust in God to your own life, and trust in His goodness and love?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction: The Psalmist's Trust (Psalms 11:1-3)
| 11:1 | The psalmist expresses his trust in God, despite the counsel of others to flee from danger. |
| 11:2 | The psalmist's enemies are seeking to destroy him, but he trusts in God's sovereignty and justice. |
| 11:3 | The psalmist's trust in God is not based on human reason or experience, but on the revelation of God's character and promises. |
2. The Psalmist's Affirmation of God's Sovereignty (Psalms 11:4-5)
| 11:4 | The psalmist affirms God's righteous character and His ability to see all things. |
| 11:5 | The psalmist contrasts the wicked, who are opposed to God and His people, with the righteous, who are upheld by God. |
3. The Contrast between the Wicked and the Righteous (Psalms 11:6-7)
| 11:6 | The psalmist contrasts the wicked, who are opposed to God and His people, with the righteous, who are upheld by God. |
| 11:7 | The chapter concludes with a call to trust in God's salvation, which is the ultimate hope of all believers. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 11?
The main theme of Psalms 11 is the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, even in turbulent times. The psalmist affirms God's righteous character and His ability to see all things, and contrasts the wicked with the righteous (Psalms 11:4-7).
How does the psalmist's trust in God encourage us to trust in Him?
The psalmist's trust in God encourages us to trust in Him because it is rooted in God's character and promises. The psalmist's affirmation of God's sovereignty and justice reminds us that God is in control of all things, and that His salvation is the ultimate hope of all believers (Psalms 11:4-7).
What is the significance of the contrast between the wicked and the righteous in Psalms 11?
The contrast between the wicked and the righteous in Psalms 11 highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice. The wicked are opposed to God and His people, while the righteous are upheld by God (Psalms 11:6-7). This contrast reminds us that our hope and security are rooted in God's character and promises.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 11:4 → Isaiah 66:1 | The psalmist's affirmation of God's sovereignty is consistent with Isaiah's declaration that heaven is God's throne and the earth is His footstool. |
| 2 | Psalms 11:5 → Proverbs 15:3 | The psalmist's statement that God's eyes see and His eyelids test the sons of men is consistent with the wisdom of Proverbs, which reminds us that God is all-seeing and all-knowing. |
| 3 | Psalms 11:6 → Matthew 25:31-46 | The psalmist's contrast between the wicked and the righteous is consistent with Jesus' teaching on the final judgment, in which the sheep are separated from the goats. |
| 4 | Psalms 11:7 → Romans 8:28 | The psalmist's call to trust in God's salvation is consistent with Paul's declaration that all things work together for good to those who love God. |
| 5 | Psalms 11:1 → 2 Timothy 3:12 | The psalmist's experience of opposition and danger is consistent with Paul's warning that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. |
| 6 | Psalms 11:2 → Psalm 37:32 | The psalmist's enemies are seeking to destroy him, which is consistent with the wicked who seek to destroy the righteous in Psalm 37:32. |
| 7 | Psalms 11:3 → Psalm 119:105 | The psalmist's trust in God is not based on human reason or experience, but on the revelation of God's character and promises, which is consistent with Psalm 119:105. |
| 8 | Psalms 11:4 → Hebrews 4:13 | The psalmist's affirmation of God's sovereignty is consistent with the writer of Hebrews, who reminds us that all things are naked and open to God's eyes. |
Sermons on Psalms 11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Righteous Are on Trial by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on his past messages about faith and acknowledges that he has not fully practiced what he preached. However, he realizes that God has put him |
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The Cup of Wrath by Andrew Bonar | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the severity of God's wrath and the consequences of sin. He uses imagery of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials from the book of Revelation |
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(New Covenant) 3. the Foundation of the New Covenant by Miki Hardy | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that Christianity is not just about being poor or rich, but about walking in victory, holiness, righteousness, and love. He highlights the i |
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The Holiness of God - Part 1 by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a profound episode in the history of Ben Israel, emphasizing the transformative power of encountering the truth. He highlights the importanc |
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A Message on the Cross by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the utter need for a substitute to die in our place and a Lord to rule over our lives. He highlights how societ |
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The Apocalypse - Revelation 6a (The First Five Seals) by Steve Gallagher | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the opening of the scroll in the book of Revelation. There are two main perspectives on how the seals on the scroll are opened. One view sugge |
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The Danger of Loving a Theological System More Than the Savior by Daniel L. Akin | In this sermon, Danny Akin addresses the issue of extreme Calvinism and its negative impact on believers. He emphasizes the importance of loving Jesus and his church above any theo |
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What Can You Do? by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the fear and uncertainty that many people feel in the current world, particularly in relation to issues such as terrorism and moral decay. He |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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The Utter Severity of God's Holy Law by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the severity of God's love and the consequences of sin. He emphasizes that God's love is not just about forgiveness and grace, but also about |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 11
Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 11 emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, even in turbulent times. Henry notes that the psalmist's trust in God is not based on human reason or experience, but on the revelation of God's character and promises. He also highlights the contrast between the wicked and the righteous, and reminds us that our hope and security are rooted in God's character and promises. Henry's commentary encourages us to look to God as our ultimate hope, and to trust in His goodness and love, as seen in Psalms 11:4 and Psalms 11:7. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Psalmist's Trust
The psalmist's trust in God is not based on circumstances, but on God's character and promises. This is evident in his affirmation of God's sovereignty and justice (Psalms 11:4-5).
The Contrast between the Wicked and the Righteous
The psalmist contrasts the wicked, who are opposed to God and His people, with the righteous, who are upheld by God (Psalms 11:6-7). This contrast highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice.
The Call to Trust
The chapter concludes with a call to trust in God's salvation (Psalms 11:7). This call is rooted in the psalmist's affirmation of God's sovereignty and justice, and is the ultimate hope of all believers.