This psalm is interesting because it uses competing terms. It starts on an offbeat as there is no introduction to the conversation he is having with God. It may indeed be a continuation of the preceding one where he asks God to intervene. God tells David to “flee as a bird to your mountain”. “How can I do that?”, David answers, “The wicked will shoot me down!” He uses word pictures of bows and arrows, instruments of war and hunting that he knows well.
Bows and Arrows
Throughout the Psalms, he uses these picture tools in both positive and negative ways. In this passage, it refers to the wicked ending his life, though curiously, the passage after verse two no longer refers to him directly. It is an interesting technique, which was seen before and will be again. He talks about his good traits but never comes out directly and calls himself righteous. Maybe he hopes God will notice and give him credit. He uses the word pictures of bows and arrows in a positive way, such as in Psalm 127:4, 5. He describes a noble father blessed by having children, a quiver full. One can then read either word picture and understand David’s meaning.
After that break in thought, he contrasts the wicked with the righteous. He makes a strong point that God’s preference is the righteous. It is again curious that in the passages reviewed, there is never a suggestion of conversion and salvation for the wicked. One could assume that it was not an option from his viewpoint. He was in such a bad state because of them. Another thought is that the wicked themselves had given up on an opportunity to repent.
This second view is more consistent throughout Scripture. God wants “all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:3,4)”. Jesus died to save all (John 3:16, 17). It appears though, that after this offer of forgiveness, once one is “labeled” as wicked, the case is closed.
Prayer
Holy God, please save us when You come. Help us decide today and each day to stand on the side of righteousness. You gave us grace and mercy, please give us strength and courage to decide for You. We ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.
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3 thoughts on “Bows and Arrows – Psalm 11”
Yes, there is NO SIN that cannot be forgiven to the one that repents. Even badmouthing the Lord Jesus Christ is a pardonable sin.
However there is ONE offense that cannot be forgiven, and that is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, according to the scriptures.
Maya
In Psalm 11 “you”, in verse 1 is plural, it is not about God. There are some men that suggest to David to run to the mountains. But he asks: “How could I run to the mountains when I trust in God, because the righteous cannot defend himself? But God is on His throne, and He defends the righteous and hate the wicked.” Both the wicked and the righteous, are two categories, two choices. God will always love the category of the righteous and will hate the category of the wicked, but one is not stuck in the bad category. If a wicked man turns to God and repents, God will save him, as all the Bible says, but if he remains in this category, he will have part of the indignation of God against the wicked category.
Iulian Sava
Even the expression:”your mountains” is a reference to “your solutions”, like saying: “save yourself”. David cold not accept such a suggestion and to continue to trust in God at the same time.
Iulian Sava