Psalms 11:1
Why Run?
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
I would suppose that there has come a time in everyone's life when the temptation to flee from our troubles has presented itself. In this psalm, David faces that temptation and teaches us that it is not always the best solution. This psalm appears to have been written when David's life was under constant threat by Saul. It was a time when prudent men would have told him to run for his life, but David had a different solution.
The psalm can be divided into two parts. The first three verses describe a man's victory over fear and temptation through his faith. The fourth verse through the end of the psalm describe the righteousness and faithfulness of God to act justly among men.
"In the Lord put I my trust..." This is the theme that runs through the entire book of Psalms from the first, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,.." until the end, "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God." (Psalms 146:5) Trust is the foundation of any relationship, whether it is between men or between a man and his God.
Trust is not natural but is learned only by experience. David had learned to trust in the Lord even when he was young and offered his services to Saul in the battle against the Philistine giant named Goliath. While others laughed at him, David touted his trust in God as the only weapon he needed. "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." (1 Samuel 17:37)
Now, as he faces another enemy, the very king who was afraid to face Goliath by himself, David is advised by his friends and servants to run. "Flee as a bird to your mountain." And, David asks, "How can you say such a thing to me? Where is the logic behind this advice? Why should anyone who trusts in the LORD run from anything?" To the godly man, such reasoning is beyond comprehension. The Goliaths of this world are weak and easily defeated when the real giant, the One who holds the heavens in the palm of His hand, is on our side.
"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:21) They have not experienced the faithfulness of God. Because they have not trusted in His word for even the smallest things, they have not known the blessings that He bestows on those who trust in Him. Therefore, they must rely on their own prudence and, when trouble comes, they shout, "Run for the hills!" The godly man asks, "How can you say that? Have you no faith?"
Our Savior, the Son of David, was mocked for His faith while he was nailed to the cross. "Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God." (Matthew 27:41-43) Yet, by His trust He did more than just come down from the cross. He rose up from the grave, proved the faithfulness of God, and defeated the devil, sin and death for everyone who would trust in Him.
Faith is the answer to sorrows and depression. When David felt depressed, he reminded himself of his relationship with God. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalms 42:11) When you feel depressed, when the circumstances tell you to run, and when there seems to be no hope, walk by faith and not by sight. Look the whole world in the eye and say, "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"
Before The Throne:
What is the world burdening you with today? Can you say, "In the Lord put I my trust?" Ask God to increase your faith. Pray for the strength to face your problems and the evils that surround you with the boldness of a young man facing Goliath. Know deep down in your heart that God will answer your prayers, because He is faithful. Thank Him for allowing you to know that He is with you always. Thank Him for proving His faithfulness and His love by what He did on the cross at Calvary.
For Further Study:
(v.1) ** In the. Psa 7:1; 9:10; 16:1; 25:2; 31:14; 56:11; 2Chr 14:11; 16:8; Isa 26:3-4; ** how. 1Sam 19:11; 20:38; 21:10-12; 22:3; 23:14; 27:1; ** Flee. Psa 55:6-7; Prov 6:5; Luke 13:31;
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
I would suppose that there has come a time in everyone's life when the temptation to flee from our troubles has presented itself. In this psalm, David faces that temptation and teaches us that it is not always the best solution. This psalm appears to have been written when David's life was under constant threat by Saul. It was a time when prudent men would have told him to run for his life, but David had a different solution.
The psalm can be divided into two parts. The first three verses describe a man's victory over fear and temptation through his faith. The fourth verse through the end of the psalm describe the righteousness and faithfulness of God to act justly among men.
"In the Lord put I my trust..." This is the theme that runs through the entire book of Psalms from the first, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,.." until the end, "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God." (Psalms 146:5) Trust is the foundation of any relationship, whether it is between men or between a man and his God.
Trust is not natural but is learned only by experience. David had learned to trust in the Lord even when he was young and offered his services to Saul in the battle against the Philistine giant named Goliath. While others laughed at him, David touted his trust in God as the only weapon he needed. "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee." (1 Samuel 17:37)
Now, as he faces another enemy, the very king who was afraid to face Goliath by himself, David is advised by his friends and servants to run. "Flee as a bird to your mountain." And, David asks, "How can you say such a thing to me? Where is the logic behind this advice? Why should anyone who trusts in the LORD run from anything?" To the godly man, such reasoning is beyond comprehension. The Goliaths of this world are weak and easily defeated when the real giant, the One who holds the heavens in the palm of His hand, is on our side.
"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" (Isaiah 5:21) They have not experienced the faithfulness of God. Because they have not trusted in His word for even the smallest things, they have not known the blessings that He bestows on those who trust in Him. Therefore, they must rely on their own prudence and, when trouble comes, they shout, "Run for the hills!" The godly man asks, "How can you say that? Have you no faith?"
Our Savior, the Son of David, was mocked for His faith while he was nailed to the cross. "Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God." (Matthew 27:41-43) Yet, by His trust He did more than just come down from the cross. He rose up from the grave, proved the faithfulness of God, and defeated the devil, sin and death for everyone who would trust in Him.
Faith is the answer to sorrows and depression. When David felt depressed, he reminded himself of his relationship with God. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalms 42:11) When you feel depressed, when the circumstances tell you to run, and when there seems to be no hope, walk by faith and not by sight. Look the whole world in the eye and say, "In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?"
Before The Throne:
What is the world burdening you with today? Can you say, "In the Lord put I my trust?" Ask God to increase your faith. Pray for the strength to face your problems and the evils that surround you with the boldness of a young man facing Goliath. Know deep down in your heart that God will answer your prayers, because He is faithful. Thank Him for allowing you to know that He is with you always. Thank Him for proving His faithfulness and His love by what He did on the cross at Calvary.
For Further Study:
(v.1) ** In the. Psa 7:1; 9:10; 16:1; 25:2; 31:14; 56:11; 2Chr 14:11; 16:8; Isa 26:3-4; ** how. 1Sam 19:11; 20:38; 21:10-12; 22:3; 23:14; 27:1; ** Flee. Psa 55:6-7; Prov 6:5; Luke 13:31;
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