THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.

Psalm 11

1David encourageth himself in God against his enemies. 4The providence and justice of God.


0To the chief 1Musician, A Psalm of David.

1 See the first annotation at Psalm 4 in the title.

1IN the LORD put I my trust: how say 2ye to my soul, Flee as a 3bird to your mountain?

2 Saul and his supporters, who mocked David with such speeches, as having (as they thought) no other refuge but hiding himself and wandering on the mountains, hopping from one place to another like a bird; but even for all that they thought to ensnare him, not considering God, Who was David’s comfort and Refuge.

3 Other, o bird.

24For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may 5privily shoot at the upright in heart.

4 As if he said: It is no wonder that they speak so proudly, for they think to have managed so certain that they shall not miss, but shall without any doubt strike me and what belongs to me.

5 That is, in secret, in the dark. Compare Psalm 10:8, 9.

3If the 6foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

6 That is, all fear of God, justice and equity (which are as the foundations of the state of Israel) are overthrown; while they go about to ruin and destroy me utterly and other godly, innocent people (who may well be counted the foundations and pillars of the land, Prov. 10:25). Or thus: But the foundations (that is, their purposes, intentions and resolutions) shall be overthrown. See Psalm 8 on verse 2; Isa. 19:10, both these readings do well agree with the previous and following text.

4The LORD is 7in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids 8try, the children of men.

7 That is, in His holy palace, namely, in heaven, as the following words seem to declare. Otherwise it might also be understood of the tabernacle. See Psalm 5 on verse 7; Hab. 2:20.

8 See Psalm 7 on verse 9.

5The LORD 9trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his 10soul hateth.

9 In such a manner that He knows him well.

10 Humanly spoken of God, as Lev. 26:11, the sense being: God hates him seriously.

6Upon the wicked he shall rain 11snares, 12fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the 13portion of their cup.

11 This implies unexpected, severe and unavoidable judgments of God. See Job 18:9, 10; 22:10; Isa. 8:14; 24:17, 18.

12 As fell upon Sodom, Gomorrah, etc. Genesis 19, and are threatened to Gog, Ezek. 38:22, being representations of the everlasting hellish fire, Jude verse 7; Rev. 20:10.

13 That is, their modest or appointed portion. Compare Job 20:29 and the annotation. A kind of speech borrowed from the fathers of the family, who was want of old to share and pour out unto every one of the members his portion of drink. Here it is understood of the wicked’s punishments, also Rev. 14:10, and elsewhere; of the cross of the church, Psalm 73:10, and in general of the sufferings of the godly and the wicked, Psalm 75:8, but otherwise Psalm 16:5; 23:5. See also Job 21 on verse 20.

7For the righteous LORD loveth 14righteousness; his countenance doth 15behold the 16upright.

14 Compare Psalm 9:8; that is, all righteous things, whatsoever is right and just.

15 Namely, with His Fatherly countenance, to show favor and provision unto him.

16 Hebr. the right, right-minded.