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Joel Kell

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Psalm 11

Introduction

To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, a Psalm of David. The word “sheminith” is used in the title of Ps. 6:1, and signifies “eighth”; and intends either the eighth note, to which the psalm was sung, or rather the harp of eight chords, to which it was set, as the Targum and Jarchi interpret it.

Verse 1

In the Lord put I my trust Not in himself, in his own heart, nor in his own righteousness and strength; nor in men, the greatest of men, the princes of the earth; nor in his armies, or any outward force; but in the Lord, as the God of providence and of grace; and in the Messiah, in his person and…

Verse 2

For, lo, the wicked bend their bow Are devising mischief, and making preparations to accomplish it; they make ready their arrow upon the string; of the bow, and are just about to execute their wicked designs; that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart; such as David, and those that were…

Verse 3

If the foundations be destroyed Or, “for the foundations are destroyed” [[17]]; all things are out of order and course both in church and state; the laws, which are the foundations of government, are despised and disregarded; judgment is perverted, and justice stands afar off; the doctrines and…

Verse 4

The Lord is in his holy temple Not in the temple at Jerusalem, which as yet was not built; nor in the temple of Christ’s human nature; but rather in the church, where he dwells, which is an holy temple to the Lord; and which is an argument for trust in him, and a reason against the fears of men in…

Verse 5

The Lord trieth the righteous As gold is tried in the fire, by afflictive providences; hereby he tries their graces, their faith, and patience, their hope, and love, and fear; and, by so doing, expresses his love to them, since this is all for their good: and therefore, when he suffers the wicked…

Verse 6

Upon the wicked The wicked one, the man of sin, antichrist, and upon all that worship the beast and his image, on all persecutors, and upon all wicked men in general: he shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest; this will be in hell, as Jarchi observes.

Verse 7

For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness The Lord is righteous in himself, and in all his ways and works; and therefore righteousness, as it lies both in punishing the wicked, and in maintaining the righteous cause of his people, must be loved by him, it being agreeable to his nature: he loves…