The Lord Is In His Holy Temple Series

Introduction

Today, I would like to begin our summer series of sermons.

Due to summer schedules with people traveling and various interruptions, I thought it would be wise to do a series of messages that do not build from one week to the next.

So, over the summer months, I would like us to examine the Book of Psalms.

As you know, there are 150 psalms in the Book of Psalms.

They cover a wide range of topics. They were written by various authors, although 73 psalms bear David’s name.

The psalms are divided into various genres. Study Bibles and scholars have categorized the psalms into different genres.

I would like to use the categories suggested by Logos. They suggest seven genres as follows:

• Lament (59 psalms)

• Praise (41 psalms)

• Hymn (17 psalms)

• Wisdom (9 psalms)

• Thanksgiving (8 psalms)

• Trust (6 psalms)

For the next few weeks, we are going to examine the psalms that are in the Trust genre.

Today’s psalm is Psalm 11.

The psalm was addressed “To the Choirmaster” and it is one of the 73 psalms that was written by King David.

We are not entirely sure what prompted David to write this psalm. Whatever the occasion, it appears to have been written because of some crisis in David’s life. His friends advised him to run for his life. But David refused to listen to the advice of his friends but instead to trust in the Lord.

Scripture

Let’s read Psalm 11:1-7:

1 In the LORD I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

3 if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

4 The LORD is in his holy temple;

the LORD’s throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

5 The LORD tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

7 For the LORD is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face.

Lesson

Psalm 11:1-7 teaches us to trust in the Lord despite advice to the contrary.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Trust of a Believer (11:1a)

2. The Advice of the Fearful (11:1b-3)

3. The Reasons for a Believer’s Trust (11:4-7)

I. The Trust of a Believer (11:1a)

First, let’s look at the trust of a believer.

David began Psalm 11 with these words, “In the LORD I take refuge” (v. 1a)

David was affirming his faith in the Lord. He was placing his trust not in himself, in other humans, or in things, but in the Lord of glory.

David was facing an extremely severe crisis in his life and he affirmed his faith and confidence in the God of heaven and earth.

The Hebrew word for “refuge” (hsh) means “to find and go to a safe location and shelter.”

We are told where to take shelter on various occasions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we were initially told to stay home.

If we were to be in a building with an active shooter, we are told to shelter in place. Lock the doors and barricade yourself in the room until you are given the “all clear” sign.

Sometimes during hurricanes, people go to certain locations, like schools, for shelter.

However, David says that his shelter, his refuge, is “in the Lord” himself. That is, David looked to the Lord to take care of him during the crisis in which he found himself.

Now, this is easier said than done.

When you find yourself in a crisis, to whom or to what do you turn?

Do you turn to alcohol? Drugs? Comfort food? TV?

Do you throw yourself into work?

Do you find yourself languishing and unable to do anything?

Or do you, like David, turn to the Lord? Can you say, with David, “In the Lord I take refuge”?

II. The Advice of the Fearful (11:1b-3)

Second, let’s notice the advice of the fearful.

David went on to say in verses 1b-3, “How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

What was the occasion that caused David to say, “How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain’ ”?

One suggestion is that after David killed Goliath, King Saul invited David to spend time in the palace.