Sharper Iron — Time in the Psalms - Psalm 11: Fly to the LORD’s Mountain

As David faces a threat that will shake the very foundation of life, he knows that the LORD is his only refuge, even as others claim that a fearful flight is the only option. David takes comfort in knowing that God makes Himself present among His people according to His promise, even as He reigns over all the earth from heaven. As He sees all things, He knows the faithfulness of His people and promises that judgment will come upon the wicked. Knowing that the LORD is the Righteous One, we look forward to that Day when we will see Him face to face.

Rev. Jacob Heine, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 11.

To learn more about Faith Lutheran, visit faithlutherantopeka.com.

Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund. Together in faith, LCEF helps to start, sustain and strengthen LCMS ministries through financial and strategic partnerships. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 11

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

To the choirmaster. Of David.

11 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
²for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
    they have fitted their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
³if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”^[a]

⁴The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord‘s throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
⁵The Lord tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
⁶Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
⁷For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face.

Footnotes

Psalm 11:3 Or for the foundations will be destroyed; what has the righteous done?

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).