Psalms 11:5

Psalm 11:5 offers a profound insight into God's character, revealing His discerning nature towards the righteous and His strong aversion to wickedness and violence. This verse assures believers of God's watchful eye and righteous judgment.

Context

Psalm 11 is a psalm of David, likely written during a time when he faced severe threats and was advised by his friends to flee for safety (Psalm 11:1-3). Despite the overwhelming danger and the apparent collapse of societal foundations, David declares his unwavering trust in the Lord. This verse, Psalm 11:5, reinforces his confidence by affirming God's active involvement in human affairs, specifically His assessment of human hearts and actions.

Key Themes

• God's Testing of the Righteous: The first part of the verse, "The LORD trieth the righteous," speaks to God's process of refining and proving His people. This is not for God to learn about us, but for our faith to be strengthened and purified, much like precious metals are refined by fire. It implies a divine scrutiny that ultimately works for the good of those who are faithful.
• God's Hatred of Wickedness and Violence: The second part, "but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth," powerfully expresses God's moral opposition to evil. God is not indifferent to injustice or cruelty. His "hatred" here is not an emotional outburst but a righteous and holy rejection of anything that stands against His perfect character and righteous laws. This highlights God's absolute commitment to justice and peace.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "trieth" is bachan (בָּחַן), which means to examine, prove, or test, often with the intent to refine or purify. It's similar to the process of an assayer testing metal for purity, indicating a purposeful and beneficial examination rather than a mere casual glance. This divine testing is intended to reveal and strengthen genuine faith, as seen in Proverbs 17:3 or James 1:2-3, where trials are said to produce steadfastness.

The word "hateth" is from the Hebrew root sane (שָׂנֵא), signifying a strong aversion or opposition. When attributed to God, it refers to His absolute moral disapproval and righteous judgment against sin, not a human-like emotional malice. It underscores God's holiness and His inability to tolerate evil, especially active violence and deliberate wickedness, as further detailed in passages like Proverbs 6:16-19.

Practical Application

Psalm 11:5 offers several crucial applications for believers today:

• Assurance in Trials: When facing difficulties or "tests," we can be assured that God is sovereignly overseeing them. These trials are not random but serve a divine purpose: to refine our faith and draw us closer to Him.
• Understanding God's Justice: This verse reminds us that God is actively engaged in His creation and will ultimately judge wickedness. While the wicked may seem to prosper for a time, God's hatred for violence and evil ensures that justice will prevail. This should encourage those who suffer injustice.
• Call to Righteous Living: Knowing God's character, we are called to align our lives with His will, rejecting violence, injustice, and all forms of wickedness. Our lives should reflect the peace and righteousness that God loves.