1.0 The Statement

Psalm 11 is called “Psalm of Confidence or Trust,” in God’s Presence and Protection, the Refuge from wicked People, our Defence against their evil deeds, the lesson we should never forget. Psalm 11can be summarised as: “God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.”  The Psalmist, David, declares his trust in God, even when faced with persecution and danger (Psalm 11:1-3), affirming that:

• God is in His holy temple (Psalm 11:4).
• God tests the righteous and the wicked (Psalm 11:5).
• God loves righteousness and justice (Psalm 11:7)

Psalm 11 offers comfort, hope, and encouragement to Believers facing challenges and uncertainties, reminding us that God is our Rock, Refuge, and Strength. Psalm 11 is the Psalm of Meditation rather than the Prayer. The Davidic Authorship of Psalm 11 is not questioned, but the exact date of its composition and the circumstances in which it was written remained uncertain.

Some Expositors feel that Psalm 11 belongs to those days when David was in Saul’s Palace, loved by many but feared by the jealous King Saul whose intent was to slay him {David- 1Samuel 19:1}, or during the Rebellion of Absalom. The situation described in Psalm 11 would correspond to both circumstances but there is no Title to Psalm 11 which would confirm either.

Whatever the crisis, Psalm 11 teaches us that we must choose between listening to human Counsel (Walking by Sight – Job 16:2) and trusting the LORD (Walking by Faith – Romans 1:17).

David in Psalm 11 expresses Confidence in God. His (David’s) words of Assurance flow in the Poem of true lyric quality. The “Thought” moves from the attack of the Wicked (Psalm 11:1-3), to God’s Response (Psalm 11:4-6), to the Final Confession of Faith (Psalm 11:7).

1.1 God Our Refuge

Psalm 11:1-2 “In the LORD I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountains?’ For look! The Wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may privily (literally, “in darkness,” secretly) shoot at the upright in heart.”

1.1.1 God’s Protection

Psalm 11:1a “In the LORD I put my trust (take refuge – NIV).”– Psalm 11:1a teaches the Believer to trust God in His Protection, rather than relying on human means of escape or safety from the Wicked and their evil deeds. Psalm 11:1a is the powerful statement of David’s faith, where he declares that he puts his trust in the LORD. The Hebrew word used here for “trust” (ḥāsaṭ) means “to seek refuge, shelter, or protection.” – In essence, David is saying that he is confident in God’s ability to protect and care for him. He (David) is putting his faith in God’s Character, Promises, and Power. Psalm 11:1a encourages the Believer to:

• Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Recognize that God is in control and has the Believer’s best interests at heart.
• Seek Refuge in God: The Phrase: “take refuge (NIV),” teaches the Believer to seek God as his safe haven, his Rock, and his Shelter in times of trouble.
• Put Faith in God’s Character: The Phrase: “take refuge (NIV),” affirms in God’s goodness, love, and faithfulness, even when circumstances are uncertain or challenging.

David, is expressing his trust in the LORD, saying that he (David) “(NIV) takes refuge in Him,” “(NKJV) I put my trust in the LORD.” – The phrase “take refuge” (put my trust)” is the Hebrew term that means “to seek shelter or protection.” David is essentially stating that God is his “Safe Haven, his Rock, and his Fortress.”

1.1.2 The Rhetorical Question

Psalm 11:1b “How can you say to my soul, ‘flee as a bird to your mountains?’” Psalm 11:1b is the rhetorical question, where David is asking how People can suggest that he (David) flee to the mountains like a bird when he has already taken refuge in the LORD. The question in Psalm 11:1b highlights the tension between trusting in God’s Protection and relying on human means of escape from the attacks and evil deeds of the Wicked.

• David’s Question, “How can you say to my soul…?” Implies that the People urged him (David) to abandon his trust in God and instead rely on his own efforts to escape or find safety.
• The Phrase “flee as a bird to your mountains” is the metaphorical expression that means to quickly and safely escape to a secure location, the mountains.

David in Psalm 11:1b is responding to the advice or criticism of others, who are telling him to flee or escape from the dangers or challenges he is facing, by his own ingenuity (cleverness). In essence, David is challenging the advice given by others:

• Why are you telling me to flee when I have put my trust in God?
• Do not you know that God is my Refuge and Strength?”
• I will rather trust in God’s Protection than rely on my own efforts to escape.

Psalm 11:1b is David’s practical lesson to the Believer, encouraging the Believe not to be swerved by human advice but to trust in the LORD in the face of difficult challenges:

• Stand firm in our Faith: Resist the temptation to abandon our trust in God when faced with challenges.
• Trust in God’s Protection: Recognize that God is our ultimate Refuge and Strength, and that He (God) is able to protect and care for us.
• Do not rely solely on human wisdom: Be cautious of advice that urges us to rely solely on our own efforts or human wisdom, rather than trusting in God’s Sovereignty and His Provision.

David’s friends suggested that he should “flee to the mountains” to escape his (David) Pursuers but David refutes their advice, asserting that his trust (refuge) is in God. David could have said, as Nehemiah did: “Should such a man as I flee?” (Nehemiah 6:11). But of course, the time would come when David must flee. It would eventually be the prudent thing to do. But as of now, he is resolute.  David’s trust in the LORD inhibits his desire to escape calamity.

First, Flee – The word “flee” is in the plural and refers to David and his responsibility in the King Saul’s Court. It is right for the Person to flee from temptation (2Timothy 2:22) as Joseph did (Genesis 39:11-13), but it is wrong to flee from the place of responsibility, as Nehemiah was invited to do (Nehemiah 6:10-11), but he refused.

Second, Shepherd – The Leader who flees needlessly from the crisis is only a Hireling and not a faithful Shepherd (John 10:12-13). Thus, David had taken into consideration both his life and responsibility. He chose to trust the LORD. 

Third, God’s Promise – It is good to look at facts rationally, however, it is better to look at those facts in the light of God’s Presence and Promises.

Fourth, David is faced with the alternative that confronts all, in crisis: Make God our Refuge or try to create our own. The ultimate issue is whether we will trust God or trust ourselves. Faith will do more for David (and us) than flight. David (and us) does not advocate retreat, and resignation:

Fifth, the Antithesis (direct opposite) of “mountains” (friend’s perspective) and “the LORD” (David’s Perspective) as Refuge is starkly clear (Psalm 121:1). The friends’ advice seems well-meant but not of the LORD, for example:

• Peter to Jesus (Matthew 16:22).
• Shemaiah to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:10-14).
• Pharisees to Jesus (Luke 13:31).  

Sixth, Confidence – Leaders, must be aware of unwise counsel. Leader, putting their faith in the Lord Jesus, and He will protect the and direct their paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Seventh, Trust – It is noteworthy that during this time of persecution, David was able to accomplish many things with the help of the LORD. Thus, even when we are in distress, let us not hide away, for if we put our trust in the LORD as David did, God will make us fruitful in our times of distress.

1.2 Wicked & their Schemes

Psalm 11:2 “For look (behold)! The Wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.” – Psalm 11:2 teaches about the Wicked and their schemes. King Saul made 15 attempts on David’s life (1Samuel chapters 18 to 27). It was a difficult time for David as Archers were everywhere seeking to kill him (Psalm 11:2).

1.2.1 Tha Archers

Psalm 11:2a “For look (behold)! The Wicked (Archers) bend their bow.” – This thought of Archers was not only in the literal sense but also in the spiritual sense, as we see in the life of Joseph: Genesis 49:23 “The Archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him.”  In application, Joseph’s case speaks of the cruel actions of his brothers and to the unjust charges of Potiphar’s wife. Therefore, it is also applied to the false accusations of the Wicked (Archers), seeking to harm him (David). In Genesis 49:23 and Psalm 11:2:

• Malicious Intent: The Archers in Genesis 49:23 and the wicked in Psalm 11:2 have malicious intentions to harm the righteous Individuals (Joseph and David).
• Hidden Attacks: Both Groups (Genesis 49:23 & Psalm 11:2) use underhanded methods to attack their victims, whether it is through deceit (Joseph’s brothers) or hidden arrows (Psalm 11:2).

Contrast with God’s Protection: In both cases (Genesis 49:23 & Psalm 11:2), God’s Protection and Sovereignty are highlighted. Despite the malicious intentions of the Wicked, God ultimately protects and delivers His People.

By drawing this connection of Genesis 49:23 and Psalm 11:2, both passages of the Scriptures teach us:

• The Wicked will always oppose the Righteous: Throughout history, there will always be those who seek to harm and undermine God’s People.
• God is our ultimate Protector: Despite the threats and attacks of the Wicked, God is our Rock, Refuge, and Deliverer.

1.2.2 The Wicked Plotted & Schemed

Psalm 11:2b “They (Wicked) make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.” – Psalm 11:2b describes the Wicked as:

• Preparing for Attack: The term “Make ready” their arrow, indicating the deliberate and intentional preparation to harm David, and the Believer.
• Using Stealth and Secrecy: The Phase: “Aim to shoot secretly” at the upright, highlighting their cowardly and underhanded tactics.
• Targeting the Righteous: The Wicked specifically target the “upright in heart,” referring to those who are righteous, innocent, and faithful.

Psalm 11:2b “They (Wicked) make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart,” reminds us that:

• The Wicked often operate in Secret: The Wicked may try to hide their evil intentions and actions from others.
• God Sees and Knows All: Despite the Wicked’s attempts to operate in secret, God is “All-Knowing and All-Seeing (Omniscience – Psalm 139:15-16)”.
• We must trust in God’s Protection: As Believers, we must trust in God’s Protection and Provision, even when faced with the threats and attacks of the Wicked.

Psalm 11:2 “For look (behold)! The Wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart,” is a strong reminder to the Believers that:

• The Wicked will oppose the Righteous: Believers can expect that those who are opposed to God and His People will try to harm and undermine them.
• God Sees and Knows All: Although the Wicked may operate in secrecy, God sees and knows all, and He will ultimately bring justice and righteousness.
• Believers must trust in God’s Protection: As Believers, we must trust in God’s Protection and Provision, even in the face of opposition and danger.

Let the Believers triumph over the Archers even as Joseph and David did in the spirit of forgiveness, love, for our Enemies. The “bows and arrows” may also be metaphors for deceptive and destructive words:

• Psalm 57:4 “My soul is among the lions, and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.”
• Psalm 64:3-4 “Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words” (Proverbs 26:18-19; Jeremiah 9:3,8; 18:18).

David’s friends continue to press their argument. Conditions were waxing worse. It was as if his (David’s) Enemy had already bent his bow and made ready the arrow upon the bow. The Wicked were poised to shoot. They would do it privily (literally, “in the dark”) unsuspectingly, suddenly, under cover in darkness. Psalm 11: 2b “That they may privily (literally, “in darkness,” secretly) shoot at the upright in heart.” The phrase: “In the LORD put I my trust,”

When John Welsh and his Fellow-Captives were summoned from their Prison in Blackness, on the Firth of Forth, to appear before the Court at Linlithgow, they sang Psalm 11, as they walked by night under guard to their trial. In the old version, which they used, it stands:

“I trust in God, how dare ye then,
Say thus my soul until.
Flee hence as fast as any fowls,
And hide you in your hill?”

Psalm 11:1-2 encourages us to put our trust in God, especially during times of uncertainty or challenges. It reminds us that our ultimate security come from Him (God), not from our own efforts or human means. The phrase: “In the LORD put I my trust,” (Psalm 11:1a) also means “In the LORD have I taken refuge.” Thus, Psalm 11:1-2 taken as the whole is the Profession of Faith in the face of threat.