Read Psalm 11
Psalm 11 is a Psalm about temptation. It acknowledges the pull that all of us feel when the circumstances of life and the situations we find ourselves in are overwhelming. The pull that we feel is to retreat. We all are tempted to run away from the hard things, the things that are uncertain, or the things that we cannot control.
And, Psalm 11 is a Psalm of confidence, it is the power of God to save his people through difficulty, even if not always from difficulty.
In verses 1-3 the Psalmist describes the nature of his temptation. There is someone “speaking” to his soul to go to a place of earthly safety and comfort, “the mountain”. While it isn’t clear who it is that is speaking, we all experience temptation from three places: satan and the powers of darkness, the world and the people in the world, and our own desires and internal motivation. Regardless of which of these is speaking to the Psalmist here, the message is the same: “this is too much for you, retreat.” The first part of verse 1 shows how the Psalmist plans to combat the message he is receiving, it is through remembering and believing that it is the LORD who sustains us, not our circumstances.
In verses 4-7, the Psalmist focuses on the LORD in a meditative manner. He looks deeply into who God is and what God does in order to draw comfort for his time of need. As he does this, we see the LORD as holy (vs. 4a). God’s holiness is his perfect moral beauty and purity. God is good, righteous, and beautiful. This brings us comfort because we know that God will do no wrong and that everything else about who God is and what he does will be purely good and beyond our wildest dreams.
We also see that God is on his throne, which is in heaven (vs. 4b). In other words, not only is God completely morally pure and good, he also is able to do everything that he wants, this is known as God’s omnipotence or sovereignty. There is no situation beyond his control because his position is one of supreme authority over everything and everyone.
Next, we learn that God is completely aware (vs. 4c). This is known as his omniscience, he knows everything and he is paying close attention to everything that happens in all of creation. He knows our every thought and desire and nothing gets by him. Even more than a mother is attentive to a newborn infant, God is attentive to his creation because of his love and care for it.
In verses 5-7 the Psalmist recalls what it looks like for God to act in creation. Because of who he is, where he is, and what he sees and hears, God will simultaneously act in testing and confirming the faith of the righteous and executing perfect and just judgment on the wicked.
The Psalmist finishes his battle against temptation with triumph as he meditates on God looking further into who God is instead of looking intently on the circumstances and spinning out because of a seemingly uncontrollable context. This gives the Psalmist, and us, the ability to trust in God’s strength when ours is not enough.
Questions
What about your current context and situation are overwhelming and what “mountain” are you tempted to find refuge in?
Discuss the attributes of God that are listed in verse 4. How do these provide comfort for you in the midst of your circumstances?
In what ways does God’s justice bring you comfort?
How does your own personal sin meet God’s justice? (In other words, what will God’s judgment be of your sin, and how can be stand upright before his face)?
Why is Jesus the only way that any of us can pray this psalm with any hope?