Title: Song of the Strong / Psalm 11:7
Content: Song of the Strong / Psalm 11:7
Key Verse: “The Lord is righteous, and he delights in what is right; the upright will see his face.”
Word: This psalm was written by David in a situation where his life was threatened by being pursued by Saul.
1. David's danger and temptation (verses 1-3)
There were two trials David faced. The first is the human exhortation of those who are weak in faith to flee like a bird to your mountain (verse 1). But David does not yield to this weak counsel. His answer is, What is it? (Verse 1). Do those who give you courage make you frustrated? Do people you give encouragement make you feel defeated? It's just curious, he's unaffected. The second is the cunning attack of the enemies that the wicked draw their bows, and feed their flesh with their strings, to shoot the upright in darkness (verse 2). A wicked man draws an arrow to his string and tries to shoot the upright in the dark. The place is gloomy and the things they do are cunning. But David trusts only in God, entrusts all these dangers to God, and rejects discouragement and pessimism.
2. The basis for trusting in the Lord alone (verses 4-7)
David is a man who has rooted in his faith like a tree with firm roots. The basis of this root is the fact that there is a God in heaven (v. 4) and the conviction that God rules the whole world (v. 4). Also, as the saying goes, “The throne of the Lord is in heaven” (verse 4), it is to know that the throne of the Lord is the place where God reigns, judges, promulgates laws, and gives grace. It also says that God knows every person's disposition (verse 4). God has insight into all life and sees the righteous (verse 5). The search for the righteous is not for temptation, but as Deuteronomy 8:16 says, “It was for a blessing”, it is a search that makes us happy. The violence of the wicked (v. 6) oppresses us and seems to succeed for a while. But God loves ‘righteousness, justice, and honesty’ (verse 7). Therefore, we must become those who encourage ourselves to rely more on God even when there is a test, and those who realize and trust that the purpose of temptation is God's way to bless us even when we are tested. This trust is what David showed when he was in danger of life.
Prayer: In the face of life-threatening challenges, David remembers that he did not give up his trust in God. Although our field of life is not a place where life is threatened, please make no difference in trusting in God. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.