Friday 23 September 2016

Background

Like yesterday, we only have a portion of the Psalm. But in thiscase only the last two verses are missing. Presumably it isbecause of the treatment meted out to the wicked, but it means wedo not read the affirmation that "the Lord is righteous; he lovesrighteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face".

Writers have struggled to describe this psalm. At differenttimes, it has been called the prayer of the falsely accused, apsalm of trust and a lament from a national leader at a time ofinvasion. Strictly speaking it is not a prayer as God is notaddressed, but it is a declaration of faith and trust.

The psalm is in two parts. Verses 1-3 are about the writer, thedanger they are facing and the appeal to them to escape, "to fleelike a bird to the mountains" (v. 1). Verses 4-7 are about God, whowill support and provide a refuge to the righteous. There is a linkhere with Proverbs 18:10 -"The name ofthe Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it andare safe".

The protection offered by God is an underlying theme throughout,whether it is made in confidence in verse 1 or that his eyes watchover the whole world in verse 4. The reader is left in no doubtthat God is ultimately in control.

To Ponder

• What does it mean to you to be under the protection of God? Andhow does that work out in daily life?

• If Psalm 11 can be described as a declaration of faith andtrust in God, what would you write or include in your own statementof faith and trust? You make like to write it down on a small pieceof paper and carry it with you over the next few days asreminder.