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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
Psalm 11. This psalm expresses the confidence that the faithful may have, even in a time of severe crisis--and crisis seems to be its proper setting (vv. 1-3). This may or may not be tied to a particular event in David's life, but that really does not matter, as the psalm is adaptable to a variety of desperate situations, showing how to face them in faith.
11:1-3 The Crisis Described. The psalm first recounts the crisis. The wicked threaten to kill the upright (v. 2), and their obvious response is to flee like a bird (v. 1).
11:1 how can you say? The words do not require that someone has actually made the suggestion; the idea is that this would be the natural reaction.
11:3 the foundations. These would be either the people who ensure that Israel is managed justly (cf. "the pillars" of Isa. 19:10) or the principles of justice upon which Israel was founded. When these are destroyed, giving the unfaithful in Israel free rein, what can the righteous do--what security does he have?
