If we get the vision of God on His throne,
governing all creatures, rendering to all according to their works,
we shall then see no reason to be discouraged by the power of oppressors but will rest in Him.
Psalm 1
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm 1 – J. Vernon McGee
Psalm 11 – God Our Refuge and Defense
Psalm 11 is a debate between fear and faith, and dates from Saul’s persecutions. Timid friends, anxious for David’s safety, urged him to flee to the mountains. Such counsels of expediency are frequently given to the servants of God, Nehemiah 6. Luther’s diaries are full of such references. But unless our duty is performed, we must stand our ground; we “can do no other.” We must remember that God’s love is with us, and that He always exchanges glances of love with His suffering ones. Compare Psalm 11:7 with Exodus 3:7. —Through the Bible Day by Day
Psalm 11:5—The LORD trieth the righteous.
Do not be surprised if you are passing through trials. The righteous Lord is exercising you towards righteousness, that your face may ever behold his in unswerving communion. As the trainer of a young athlete will place him, now in one position, and again in another, to call certain muscles into play, to strengthen them by use, and to make the whole organization supple and subservient to the impulses of the soul, so God tries us—to call into operation, and test by use, each faculty of our being.
“Trials make the promise sweet,
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring us to his feet,
Lay us low, and keep us there.”
There a great difference between the temptings of Satan and the tryings of the Lord. The former are intended to make us fall; the great adversary takes pleasure in showing how weak and sinful we are, and in casting us down to destruction. The latter, that we may be led out towards faith, patience, courage, meekness, and other-worldliness. “Tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Whatever spiritual power is latent within us, we may be unaware of its value or helpfulness till it is called into exercise by trial, But when once it has been summoned into manifestation, it becomes the invaluable possession of all after time.
There is this consolation in trial, that at least we are not reprobates. The Lord trieth the righteous. The lapidary does not waste his time in cutting common pebbles. If we endure chastisement, we are clearly not bastards, but sons. Our Father loves us too much to let us miss the rich fruit that is reward us when all the pruning is over. —Our Daily Homily