THE UPRIGHT HEART (2)

“...The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the UPRIGHT in HEART” – Psalm 11:2                            

The fear of evil and evil doers can never overcome the UPRIGHT HEART: “In the Lord I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the UPRIGHT in HEART” (Psa.11:1-2). The word “Uprightness” implies: straightness, completion or wholeness; constant standards, correctness, genuineness, faithfulness, and forthrightness. God is our Model in Uprightness, and He desires that we be upright in heart: “The way of the just is uprightness; O MOST UPRIGHT, You weigh the path of the just” (Isa.26:7).

The theme of Psalm 11 is Faith in the Lord’s Righteousness. Although its historical context is uncertain, David was certainly facing the threat of an enemy and weighing the counsel of his advisers who urged him to flee. There are times that retreat and flight at the threat of assault is a wise choice. David fled from Saul when the king moved to attack him. He fled Jerusalem after his son Absalom stole the affections of the people and led an insurrection against his father the king. We do not know if the enemy David faced here was a foe within or without his kingdom; however the threat was significant enough for his counsellors to advise him to flee (vv.1b-2).

The psalm leads off with a question: 'Why should I flee like a bird to the mountains?' (v.1b). Rather than being viewed as a negative indication of running away in defeat, this question could be seen as a demonstration of trust in God. David asserted his faith was in the Lord and asked his frightened counsellors, would you have me flee like a frightened bird? The king’s counsellors reminded him that the plot of the wicked was to destroy the just and upright (11:2) and he, as king was the moral pillar and foundation of the nation (v.3). They reasoned not only was the king’s life at risk, but also the nation’s destiny and future. In other words, what would become of the righteous should the king, who represented not only human authority, but the nation’s spiritual relationship with God fail?

Verses 4-7 present David’s answer to the questions and counsel of his frightened, faithless advisors. He asserted that the Lord, Sovereign of His creation is in His holy, sacred and hallowed temple. From His throne in heaven, He with a steady eye and steadfast gaze observes human affairs (v.4). Verse 5 states the king’s confidence that the Lord examines, proves, and knows the hearts of the righteous and He is foe of wicked persons who afflict humanity with their evil deeds and acts of violence. God is not oblivious of pervading swath of destruction perpetrated against humanity – the violence, reign of terror, beheadings, burnings, rape, and wickedness the world over. David reminded the righteous that God is on His throne and the wicked will not escape the terror of His judgment – “fire and brimstone and a burning wind” – to be rained down upon them (v.6).

The Psalm ends with the assurance that the Lord’s love for the righteous never wanes and His eyes are ever upon the Upright in heart. There are times that flight and retreat from an adversary is prudent, but this must never be at the expense of silencing the truth or tampering with upright walk. The challenge for Believers and the true church is whether or not we will trust the Lord and imbibe His virtue of uprightness; confident He is Sovereign of creation, in whom we can seek refuge. Notwithstanding the threats of the wicked, the Psalmist resolved to trust the Upright God from an upright heart. Not only is God upright, He has also created humanity in uprightness: Truly, this only I have found: God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes (Eccl.7:29).

God delights in the upright in heart: “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright!” (v.7).