TEXT: Psalm 11:1-7
READING: Isaiah 66:1-24
SUBJ: The view of the faithful where the Lord is seen in His Holy Temple above the fray and the threatening of this present evil word.
AIM: That we, as David, might refuse to “flee as a bird” and rather to look to our Lord in His Temple and all that is represented by His presence there.
INTR: My first attraction to this Psalm was a hymn entitled “Flee As a Bird.” The thoughts set forth in the song are excellent and certainly encouraging to the heart – it is just not consistent with a proper interpretation of this passage.
1. In the song the writer pictured Christ as the mountain while David is actually questioning the advice being given him to flee rather than trust the Lord.
2. The first declaration of David is “In the Lord do I put I my trust,” and that is a thesis statement for this Psalm.
3. We would examine this passage in considering the situation of David and making application to our own situation in this present evil world.
THESIS: When we have the high view of God suggested by David, we have no reason to flee. We may be prudent, as was David, but we are able to declare that our lives are “hid with Christ in God.”
I. Reasons to flee (vv. 1-3)
1. We would endeavor to relate to David in this case and note carefully the treachery of Saul and the reaction of David.
1) Saul became insanely jealous in realizing that David would be King.
2) And we consider the lawlessness of Saul in his horrible deeds (attempting to murder David, mobilizing armies against him, the slaughter of the priests…).
2. There could be no recourse to government or legal appeal – a mountain often sought by those in flight.
1) There is no righteous appeal recognized where the powers that be hate Christ and
2) We witness the trial of Christ.
3. We behold the threatening of civil government even now.
4. David “behaved himself wisely…” and he exercised prudence when needed -- Adullam
5. The conditions are real – see verse 2.
1) See Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. (Psalms 3:2)
2) And Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: (Psalms 64:3)
6. In verse 3 he summarizes what his would imply: Matthew Henry wrote, He looks upon this suggestion as striking at the foundations which every Israelite builds upon: “If you destroy the foundations, if you take good people off from their hope in God, if you can persuade them that their religion is a cheat and a jest and can banter them out of that, you ruin them, and break their hearts indeed, and make them of all men the most miserable.”
II. Reason not to flee (vv. 4-7)
1. We are often reminded that while we do not yet see all things put under Him, we do see Jesus and the picture here portrays the high position of our redeemer God.
2. The Lord is in His Holy Temple:
1) All that the Lord does is tied to His purpose in redemption and even the Old Testament saints like David understood that.
2) To look away from the assurances given us in that manner is to trust the “arm of flesh” and there is no stability there.
3. Consider: But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
1) The LORD’S throne is in heaven. -- And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
2) His eyes behold -- The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)
3) His eyelids try the children of men – nothing escapes Him.
4. The Lord tries the righteous and certainly David was tried.
1) We sweetly remember: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
2) But what a terrible end awaits the vile and violent – He leaves them to their own choosing -- to endure the hatred of God is a terrible thought!
5. Again, And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4:18-19).
III. To Whom we flee (v. 7)
1. How delightful to know: Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalms 33:18-19).
2. From the aged Peter again, For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12)
3. The Lord commanded this blessing to Israel in the wilderness: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26).
