Psalm 11 TO HE WHO GRANTS VICTORY, BY DAVID [Psalms 11:1] IN THE LORD PUT I MY TRUST: HOW SAY YE TO MY SOUL, FLEE AS A BIRD TO YOUR MOUNTAIN? [Psalms 11:2] 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. [Psalms 11:3] IF THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO? <<FOUNDATIONS>> In Hebrew "Shatot" from the root "Shat" (or "STH") or in Northern Hebrew "Sat" and meaning "set". This is probably the root of the English words "set", "sit", "stead", stood", "stay". I once heard in the name of the "Chazon Ish" (a great Torah scholar, Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, 1878-1953) the question asked about people doing good and causing others to do good and then there being no apparent continuation. What is the point of it all? The answer as I remember was twofold: (a) a good thing is good in itself in its own time and each moment of its existence is a blessing. (b) We do not know whether or not there is continuation. Sometimes things take effect long after their causes have passed away: <<GOD IS IN HEAVEN, AND THOU UPON EARTH: THEREFORE LET THY WORDS BE FEW>> [The Preacher: Ecclesiastes 5:2]. This brings us to the next verse: [Psalms 11:4] THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE, THE LORD'S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN: HIS EYES BEHOLD, HIS EYELIDS TRY, THE CHILDREN OF MEN. The place of the Almighty is compared to the Temple and indeed the place of the Holy Temple ON EARTH is ALSO the residence of the ALMIGHTY. [Psalms 11:5] THE LORD TRIETH THE RIGHTEOUS: BUT THE WICKED AND HIM THAT LOVETH VIOLENCE HIS SOUL HATETH. Some people have accustomed themselves to prefer wicked ways instead of good ones. [Psalms 11:6] UPON THE WICKED HE SHALL RAIN SNARES, FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, AND AN HORRIBLE TEMPEST: THIS SHALL BE THE PORTION OF THEIR CUP. [Psalms 11:7] FOR THE RIGHTEOUS LORD LOVETH RIGHTEOUSNESS; HIS COUNTENANCE DOTH BEHOLD THE UPRIGHT. Good comes unto those who do good, sooner or later. If there is a delay then there is a reason for the delay. We do not have to understand everything but we should endeavor to comprehend that which we can. Psalms Index HOME