Psalm 11 — Trust in the Lord

If anyone wishes to disturb you, hold on strongly to your confidence in the Lord and say Psalm 11.

Athanasius, On the Interpretation of the Psalms

These days I think many of us can sympathize with the psalmist. Chaos is all around — the pandemic, rioting, political division, anger, and the foundations of what is "normal" all seem swept away.

Like the psalmist, we must keep our sense of perspective and lean on what we know to be true. The righteous man can lean on God who we know is unchanging and eternally in charge.

Bird hunter from Palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad, c. 725 BC
"Flee like a bird to the mountains. For look, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string." (11:1-2)

Notice how the psalmist shows us some key truths about God.

11:4-6 Yahweh the Examiner

The dual description of Yahweh as "in his holy temple" and "on his heavenly throne" is significant. The former is an indication of God's immanent presence among humans (most particularly the faithful), while the latter emphasizes the transcendent power and authority that separates him from the chaotic futility of human power. God is at once among his people, strengthening, empowering, and saving, and at the same time above all the humans, ruling, examining, and rendering righteous judgment.

[...]

Contemporary Significance. Whatever else it means, taking refuge in God does not mean escape or avoidance of pain and suffering. Part of the reason for this is that fleeing is self-focused and self-concerned. We flee when we are concerned about protecting ourselves. By contrast, the kind of refuge that God offers calls us to give ourselves away: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" (Luke 9:24). Taking refuge in God is other-focused. Those who enter that refuge hold onto God by letting go of self and thinking instead of others.

Psalms Volume 1 (NIV Application Commentary)

I like knowing this ancient use for sulfur and coals.

11:6 Fiery Coals and Burning Sulfur

In Akkadian texts, sulfur burned on coals is described as a fumigating agent ... The terms here are reminiscent, though not identical, to those used in the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24)

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

Though the psalmist is saying the enemy will be destroyed it seems fit that fumigation from evil is the mental connection, and also fit that such "fumigation" was deemed just for Sodom and Gomorrah. These ancient contexts are fascinating.

Sources are here and an index of psalm posts is here.