TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 11:1–3. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is, I. David's fixed resolution to make God his confidence: In the Lord put I my trust, Psa 11:1. Those that truly fear God and serve him are welcome to put their trust in him, and shall not be made ashamed of their doing so. And it is the character of the saints, who have taken God for their God, that they make him their hope. Even when they have other things to stay themselves upon, yet they do not, they dare not, stay upon them, but on God only. Gold is not their hope, nor are horses and chariots their confidence, but God only; and therefore, when second causes frown, yet their hopes do not fail them, because the first cause is still the same, is ever so. The psalmist, before he gives an account of the temptation he was in to distrust God, records his resolution to trust in him, as that which he was resolved to live and die by.
II.His resentment of a temptation to the contrary:
"How say you to my soul, which has thus returned to God as its rest and reposes in him, Flee as a bird to your mountain, to be safe there out of the reach of the fowler?" This may be taken either,
1.As the serious advice of his timorous friends; so many understand it, and with great probability. Some that were hearty well-wishers to David, when they saw how much Saul was exasperated against him and how maliciously he sought his life, pressed him by all means to flee for the same to some place of shelter, and not to depend too much upon the anointing he had received, which, they thought, was more likely to occasion the loss of his head than to save it. That which grieved him in this motion was not that to flee now would savour of cowardice, and ill become a soldier, but that it would savour of unbelief and would ill become a saint who had so often said, In the Lord put I my trust. Taking it thus, the two following verses contain the reason with which these faint-hearted friends of David backed this advice. They would have him flee,
(1.)Because he could not be safe where he was, Psa 11:2. "Observe," say they, "how the wicked bend their bow; Saul and his instruments aim at thy life, and the uprightness of thy heart will not be thy security." See what an enmity there is in the wicked against the upright, in the seed of the serpent against the seed of the woman; what pains they take, what preparations they make, to do them a mischief: They privily shoot at them, or, in darkness, that they may not see the evil designed, to avoid it, nor others, to prevent it, no, nor God himself, to punish it.
(2.)Because he could be no longer useful where he was. "For," say they, "if the foundations be destroyed" (as they were by Saul's mal-administration), "if the civil state and government be unhinged and all out of course" (Psa 75:3, Psa 82:5), "what canst thou do with thy righteousness to redress the grievances? Alas! it is to no purpose to attempt the saving of a kingdom so wretchedly shattered; whatever the righteous can do signifies nothing." Abi in cellam, et dic, Miserere mei, Domine - Away to thy cell, and there cry, Pity me, O Lord! Many are hindered from doing the service they might do to the public, in difficult times, by a despair of success.
2.It may be taken as a taunt wherewith his enemies bantered him, upbraiding him with the professions he used to make of confidence in God, and scornfully bidding him try what stead that would stand him in now. "You say, God is your mountain; flee to him now, and see what the better you will be." Thus they endeavoured to shame the counsel of the poor, saying, There is no help for them in God, Psa 14:6; Psa 3:2. The confidence and comfort which the saints have in God, when all the hopes and joys in the creature fail them, are a riddle to a carnal world and are ridiculed accordingly. Taking it thus, the two following verses are David's answer to this sarcasm, in which,
(1.)He complains of the malice of those who did thus abuse him (Psa 11:2): They bend their bow and make ready their arrows; and we are told (Psa 64:3) what their arrows are, even bitter words, such words as these, by which they endeavour to discourage hope in God, which David felt as a sword in his bones.
(2.)He resists the temptation with a gracious abhorrence, Psa 11:3. 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." The principles of religion are the foundations on which the faith and hope of the righteous are built. These we are concerned, in interest as well as duty, to hold fast against all temptations to infidelity; for, if these be destroyed, if we let these go, What can the righteous do? Good people would be undone if they had not a God to go to, a God to trust to, and a future bliss to hope for.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
That which you have framed they have pulled down. Those were the seeds of the best ideas grafted by nature, which God impresses on each person, placing within their spirit the knowledge that is called natural.
Let the Catholic soul then say, "In the Lord I trust; how say ye to my soul, Remove into the mountains as a sparrow? For, lo, the sinners have bent the bow, they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, that they may in the obscure moon shoot at the upright in heart:" and from them let her turn her speech to the Lord and say, "For they have destroyed what You have perfected" [Psalm 11:3]. And this let her say not against these only, but against all heretics. For they have all, as far as in them lies, destroyed the praise which God has perfected out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, when they disturb the little ones with vain and scrupulous questions, and suffer them not to be nourished with the milk of faith. As if then it were said to this soul, why do they say to you, "Remove into the mountains as a sparrow;" why do they frighten you with sinners, who "have bent the bow, to shoot in the obscure moon at the upright in heart"? She answers, Therefore it is they frighten me, "because they have destroyed what You have perfected." Where but in their conventicles, where they nourish not with milk, but kill with poison the babes and ignorant of the interior light. "But what has the Just done?" If Macarius, if Cæcilianus, offend you, what has Christ done to you, who said, "My peace I give unto you, My peace I leave with you;" [John 14:27] which you with your abominable dissensions have violated? What has Christ done to you? Who with such exceeding patience endured His betrayer, as to give to him, as to the other Apostles, the first Eucharist consecrated with His own hands, and blessed with His own mouth. What has Christ done to you? Who sent this same betrayer, whom He called a devil, [John 6:70] who before betraying the Lord could not show good faith even to the Lord's purse, [John 12:6] with the other disciples to preach the kingdom of heaven; [Matthew 10:5-7] that He might show that the gifts of God come to those that with faith receive them, though he, through whom they receive them, be such as Judas was.
Heretics … have destroyed the law of the Lord … by false interpretations, changes resulting in the death of some, while the Scriptures were intended to serve as the Lord’s prophets for our salvation.
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Summary
Psalms 11:3 poses a profound rhetorical question that captures the essence of human despair when the very structures of truth, justice, and societal order appear to collapse: "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" This verse articulates the deep sense of vulnerability experienced by those who strive to live righteously in a world where the established norms and moral underpinnings seem to crumble, prompting a search for ultimate recourse beyond fleeting human systems and highlighting the critical need for divine intervention and an unshakeable anchor in God's sovereignty.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 11 opens with David's resolute declaration of trust in the LORD, despite receiving counsel to flee from his enemies, who are depicted as a clear and present danger. The preceding verses, particularly Psalms 11:1 and Psalms 11:2, vividly paint a picture of imminent threat and the wicked's malicious intent to "privily shoot at the upright in heart." It is against this backdrop of direct persecution and moral decay that the poignant question of verse 3 arises, highlighting the apparent helplessness of the righteous when the very structures meant to protect them are undermined. The verse serves as a pivotal point, articulating the human dilemma and perceived hopelessness before the psalm shifts dramatically in Psalms 11:4, where David reaffirms God's ultimate sovereignty and divine judgment as the true, unshakeable answer to the crisis. This transition underscores that the question is not a statement of despair but a setup for a declaration of faith in God's ultimate control.
Historical & Cultural Context
While the specific historical occasion for Psalm 11 is not explicitly stated, its authorship by David suggests a period of intense persecution or political instability, such as his flight from King Saul or the rebellion of Absalom. In ancient Israelite society, "foundations" (Hebrew: shathoth) referred not merely to physical structures but, more profoundly, to the moral, legal, and spiritual underpinnings of communal life. These included the divinely ordained laws given at Sinai, covenant faithfulness, justice administered by leaders and judges, and the very concept of objective truth and righteousness. The destruction of these foundations would imply a complete breakdown of the social contract, the divine order, and the rule of law, leading to chaos, oppression, and a world turned upside down. The question in the verse reflects the profound anxiety and sense of vulnerability experienced by those who upheld righteousness in a world where such foundational principles were actively being subverted, ignored, or attacked by those in power, leaving the upright without apparent earthly recourse.
Key Themes
This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the collapse of order, where "foundations" symbolize the fundamental principles of truth, justice, and moral integrity, and their "destruction" signifies a complete breakdown of societal norms and divine order. Secondly, it highlights the dilemma of the righteous, articulating the deep sense of vulnerability, frustration, and apparent despair that can overwhelm those who strive to live righteously when the systems meant to uphold truth and justice fail or are actively undermined. This raises the critical question of their recourse or protection in a world seemingly devoid of stable ground. Finally, and most importantly, the verse sets the stage for the overarching theme of God's unchanging sovereignty. While the question itself expresses apparent hopelessness, the subsequent verses of Psalms 11 powerfully reveal that God remains enthroned in heaven, actively observing, testing, and judging humanity. This divine sovereignty provides the ultimate comfort and the true, enduring answer to the dilemma posed in Psalms 11:3, shifting the focus from human helplessness to divine omnipotence and justice.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H8356, שָׁתוֹת) is crucial. It refers not merely to physical structures like buildings, but metaphorically to a "basis" or "support," specifically "political or moral support." It encompasses the deep-seated moral, legal, and spiritual underpinnings of a society, a nation, or even the cosmic order. It signifies the established principles of justice, truth, law, and the foundational norms that ensure stability, righteousness, and order. When these "foundations" are spoken of as being destroyed, it implies an attack on the very concept of objective truth, divine order, and ethical governance, leading to societal collapse.
The verb (H2040, הָרַס) is a primitive root meaning "to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy; beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck down, pull down, ruin, throw down, [idiom] utterly." It implies a violent, deliberate, and often systematic act of subversion, rather than a natural decay. This suggests an active dismantling of the established order, whether by wicked individuals, corrupt systems, or a widespread societal abandonment of core values. The KJV's phrasing powerfully conveys this sense of absolute collapse and intentional ruin.
This term (H6662, צַדִּיק) is derived from the root meaning "just." It refers to those who are just, upright, innocent, and in right standing with God. They are individuals who strive to live according to God's laws and principles, upholding truth and justice in their conduct and character. The verse highlights their unique vulnerability and apparent lack of recourse when the very structures that should protect and uphold their way of life are systematically dismantled or rendered ineffective.
Verse Breakdown
"If the foundations be destroyed"
This clause presents a hypothetical, yet often experienced, scenario of profound societal or moral collapse. The "foundations" represent the essential principles upon which a just and ordered society is built – truth, justice, law, moral integrity, and the very concept of objective reality and divine order. The phrase "be destroyed" implies a systemic breakdown, an active subversion, or a widespread erosion of these fundamental values, leading to chaos, injustice, and a deep sense of disorientation. It speaks to a situation where the very ground beneath one's feet seems to give way, threatening the fabric of existence.
"what can the righteous do?"
This is a rhetorical question, not seeking a direct answer from the reader, but expressing a deep sense of despair, vulnerability, and apparent helplessness from a limited human perspective. It articulates the profound dilemma faced by those who uphold righteousness when the external structures that are supposed to support and protect them have crumbled. It highlights the perceived lack of recourse, protection, or effective action available to the upright in a morally inverted or chaotic environment. However, within the broader context of Psalms 11, this question also serves to set up the profound theological answer that follows in subsequent verses, pointing to God's ultimate sovereignty and justice as the true source of hope, action, and enduring stability.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Psalms 11:3 is the Rhetorical Question. The question "what can the righteous do?" is not posed to elicit an informational answer, but rather to express the profound dilemma, frustration, and sense of perceived powerlessness experienced by the righteous in the face of societal collapse. It serves to highlight the gravity of the situation and to dramatically set up the divine answer that immediately follows in the subsequent verses of the psalm, where God's unwavering presence on His throne and His active judgment provide the ultimate resolution and source of hope. Additionally, the phrase "the foundations" functions as a powerful Metaphor, representing not literal building structures but the essential moral, legal, and spiritual principles that underpin a stable and just society. The idea of these foundations being "destroyed" can also be seen as Hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme nature of the perceived crisis and the depth of the psalmist's concern, suggesting an attack so fundamental that it threatens the very fabric of communal and cosmic existence.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 11:3 probes the core of human trust, challenging where our ultimate security lies. When the visible structures of society—its laws, its justice systems, its moral consensus—appear to crumble, the righteous are confronted with a profound existential question. Theologically, this verse points us beyond the fragility of human institutions to the unshakeable nature of God Himself. It underscores the biblical truth that while earthly foundations are susceptible to decay and destruction, God's character, His truth, and His kingdom are eternal and immutable. The apparent helplessness of the righteous in the face of societal collapse is meant to drive them to a deeper reliance on the divine, recognizing that God is the ultimate bedrock upon which true security is built. This perspective shifts our focus from what we can do in our limited strength to what God, in His infinite power and justice, will ultimately accomplish, providing the only true and lasting stability.
Reflection and Application
In an age often characterized by moral relativism, political polarization, and a widespread disregard for objective truth, Psalms 11:3 resonates with profound relevance. We frequently witness institutions failing, justice being perverted, and fundamental values being openly challenged or eroded. This verse speaks directly to the anxieties and frustrations that arise when the very "foundations" of our society seem to be under attack. For the righteous, this is not a call to despair or passive resignation, but rather an urgent invitation to re-anchor their hope in something far more enduring than any earthly structure. It challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies: in human systems, which are inherently fallible, or in the unchanging character and sovereign rule of God. When the world around us shakes, believers are called to stand firm in their faith, to continue living righteously, and to trust in God's ultimate control and His promise to judge the earth. Our strength and our ability to act are derived not from the stability of the world, but from the steadfastness of our God, who remains on His throne, actively engaged in His creation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What are the "foundations" referred to in Psalms 11:3?
The "foundations" (Hebrew: shathoth) in Psalms 11:3 are not literal physical structures but a powerful metaphor. They represent the fundamental moral, legal, and spiritual underpinnings of a society or even the cosmic order. This includes principles of justice, truth, law, ethical governance, and the objective reality that provides stability and meaning. When these are described as "destroyed," it signifies a profound breakdown of societal norms, an active attack on established values, and a pervasive sense of chaos or injustice that threatens the very fabric of ordered existence.
Does this verse imply that the righteous are helpless?
No, the verse does not imply that the righteous are ultimately helpless. Rather, the question "what can the righteous do?" is a rhetorical one, expressing a human dilemma and the apparent vulnerability from a limited, earthly perspective. It serves to set the stage for the powerful theological answer provided immediately in the subsequent verses of Psalms 11. Psalms 11:4 declares, "The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven," immediately shifting the focus to God's ultimate control, His watchful eye, and His divine judgment. The righteous are not helpless because their ultimate refuge and hope are in the sovereign God, not in the stability of earthly systems. Their true strength and recourse lie in their unwavering trust in Him.
How does this verse relate to contemporary issues?
Psalms 11:3 remains profoundly relevant in contemporary society. It speaks directly to modern anxieties concerning moral relativism, political instability, the erosion of truth in public discourse, and challenges to fundamental human values. In an era where trust in institutions may be low and societal norms seem to shift rapidly, the verse articulates the feeling of disorientation when the "foundations" appear to crumble. It prompts believers to look beyond fleeting human systems and find their ultimate anchor in the unchanging character and eternal kingdom of God, reminding them that true security is found in Him alone, regardless of the chaos in the world.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 11:3, with its poignant question about the righteous's recourse when foundations crumble, finds its ultimate and most profound answer in Jesus Christ. He is the true, unshakeable foundation upon whom all things are built, and the one in whom the righteous find their complete security and purpose. While earthly systems and human institutions are inherently fragile and destined to fail, 1 Corinthians 3:11 declares, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." He is the cornerstone rejected by builders but chosen by God, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New (see 1 Peter 2:6-7). The dilemma of the righteous—what can they do when the world falls apart?—is resolved in Christ, who is our righteousness, our refuge, and our ultimate hope. He is the wise builder's rock, upon whom one can build a life that will withstand any storm, unlike the foolish builder's house on sand (as taught in Matthew 7:24-27). Even when earthly kingdoms and their foundations are shaken, the kingdom of Christ is an everlasting kingdom that cannot be moved (Hebrews 12:28). Therefore, the righteous in Christ are not helpless; they are anchored to the eternal, sovereign Lord, whose reign ensures ultimate justice and whose presence guarantees their steadfastness amidst any earthly collapse, looking forward to the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13).