Eschatology in Psalm 11

Did David, the King of Israel and the Great Psalmist, ever think eschatologically? Psalm 11 seems to indicate that he did. Can you spot his eschatological statement?

Psalm 11:1 【For the director of music. Of David.】

In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?" 4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. 6 On the wicked, he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

If we personalize this short hymn, it becomes intimate. For when we hide in the Lord, others might try to discourage us. They may attempt to destroy our faith by revealing imagined enemies and what they might do to us. They invent catastrophes that cant be avoided. Sort of like today!

When we slap ourselves out of our stupor, we'll see the truth. Look at how David said it. His words have to be right because they are Scripture!

The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord is on his heavenly throne.

There is a parallel and repeated thought here. The LORD is in his temple and on his heavenly throne. Here it might seem that the LORD is distant and far from the battle we face. However, this is quite the opposite sentiment. The LORD is in his place of perfect power and authority. He is right where he should be. So, what is he doing in that place?

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

Again a parallel thought is communicated that helps us to see God's closeness. He observes EVERYONE and examines all. The idea is that God not only sees but pays attention to and studies everyone. It is not a casual glance from a distant potentate but a loving and judging examination from an incredible creator.

The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

In the following line, a stark reminder is that God examines the righteous but hates the wicked. It is shocking because we want God to love all, everyone, the world. Isn't that what John 3:16 is all about? Apparently not because in the following line, David tells us precisely how God will express his hatred. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.

There is a definite distinction between the wicked and the righteous, almost like in the first Psalm. Look at how this song ends. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

Where is eschatology? The Lord is in his holy temple on his heavenly throne. He is in command right now. There will be fire and brimstone to pay for the non-Christ followers when he comes, and the righteous will see his face.

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