Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 11:3
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
3. The state, or society, is compared to a building. The foundations upon which it rests (or the pillars which support it) are the fundamental principles of law and order and justice. The figure sometimes denotes nobles, or chief men, as in Isa 19:10 (R.V.), but the more general explanation is preferable here. Cp. Psa 75:3; Psa 82:5; Eze 30:4. When these principles are being subverted, ‘what,’ asks the voice of despair, ‘can the righteous do? and the form of the question in the original seems to be intended to exclude the possibility of an encouraging answer.
But the verse should probably be rendered (cp. R.V. marg.), For the foundations are being overthrown; what hath the righteous wrought? The efforts of the righteous have availed nothing to avert the general anarchy. What then, it is implied, can he hope to effect by remaining in the midst of it at the peril of his life?
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
If the foundations be destroyed – These are still to be regarded as the words of the psalmists advisers; or as an argument why he should make his escape. The word foundations, here, refers to those things on which society rests, or by which social order is sustained – the great principles of truth and righteousness that uphold society, as the foundations on which an edifice rests uphold the building. The reference is to a destruction of those things in a community, when truth is no longer respected; when justice is no longer practiced; when fraud and violence have taken the place of honesty and honor; when error prevails; when a character for integrity and virtue affords no longer any security. This is supposed to be the case in the circumstances referred to in the psalm, when there was no respect paid to truth and justice, and when the righteous, therefore, could find no security. It is under these circumstances the advice is given Psa 11:1, that the righteous should seek safety in flight.
What can the righteous do? – What source of safety or confidence has he? His trust for his own safety, and for the good of society, has always been in the prevalence of just principles, and he has no other resource. Whatever others may do; whatever reliance they may place on such things, he can have no confidence in fraud, dishonesty, and error – in secret machinations and plans of treachery and deceit. His reliance is, and must be, in the prevalence of just principles; in the observance of law; in the diffusion of truth; in plans and deeds which are honorable and pure. When these no longer prevail, the argument is, there is nothing on which he can repose confidence in executing the plans on which his heart is fixed, and his proper course would be to flee Psa 11:1. Part of this is true; part not. It is true that all the hope of the righteous is in the prevalence of principles of truth and justice, and that for the success of the objects nearest to his heart, whether of a private or public nature, he has no other resource or hope; but it is not always true, even when injustice, fraud, and error prevail, that he, should withdraw from society and seek his safety in flight, and leave the world to its own course. His presence may be the very thing to counteract this; his duty may be to remain and face the evil, and to endeavor to secure a better state of things. So the psalmist understood in his case.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 11:3-4
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Christian firmness in evil times
We have here a description of a faithful heart in time of trial declaring itself resolved to trust on God alone, when some would advise it to fly or to draw back. No man need despair; but still, when the foundations are assailed, and perhaps (humanly speaking) destroyed, it is the plain duty of believers to consider what they ought to do; to consider how they may most effectually, under Gods blessing, join hands with Him in maintaining, against the world, the cause of true religion in His Church and household. If our lot is cast in times and places when and where the truth as such is slighted and set aside, it is easy to see that, so far as such opinions prevail, the foundations are destroyed. If men come to think it of small consequence whether or not they embrace and hold fast Divine truth, they will, by degrees, go on to doubt whether there is any such thing as Divine truth at all; and so, beginning with what they were pleased to call Christian liberty, they will end in unbelief. If men should be led to encourage the opinion that Gods most holy Bible is to be handled, judged, criticised, praised or blamed like other books, then, beyond all doubt, however human reason may triumph, Divine faith will be undermined, and by degrees will be destroyed from its foundation. The thoughts of serious Church people are now directed to inquiry into the nature of the Christian Church and the duty of cleaving fast to it, more and more, as the world seeks to destroy its foundations. Some persons think the Church means anything, and some think it means nothing, but, at all events, it is of no great consequence what it means. Another danger is that of mistaking or slighting the great Christian doctrine of Divine grace. Whatever concerns the foundations of belief or practice concerns all Christian people as Christians. (Contributors to the Tracts for the Times. )
The foundations of the true faith indestructible
The Christians would be friends are often his worst enemies. Instead of Strengthening his faith when he is in difficulties, they counsel him to fly. Thus was David tempted by the feeble faith of well-meaning friends. He was sure that the foundations of his faith could never be destroyed, because–
1. God is present in His Church. Ever present to preserve, revive, and defend it.
2. Because the Lords throne is in heaven. By His throne we understand His authority. Not human laws, not Church authority, not creeds, which are fences rather than foundations.
3. Because His design is to try His people. Hence all these alarms and trials. Then we should have stability in our faith. Distaste for profitless controversy. Patience in well-doing. (Stephen Jenner, M. A.)
An immovable foundation
The if comes suddenly upon us.
1. Consider this if as being nothing but an if. There are certain spiritual foundations which never can be removed.
(1) There is the foundation book.
(2) The foundation doctrine–justification by faith.
(3) The foundation fact–God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.
(4) The foundation work–the blood of Jesus applied by the Spirit of Divine grace.
(5) The foundation hope–the blessed hope of eternal life with Christ. These foundations can never be moved.
2. Take this if as being something more than an if. The foundations of many things may be removed–of civil government, of commerce, of ones estates, of all trust between man and man. Now suppose them removed, what should the righteous do? If the worst come to the worst–
(1) He can bear it with a holy equanimity.
(2) Hope for the best cheerfully.
(3) Do right. Be upright, whether he fail or not.
(4) If we have a hand to spare we will help a comrade up.
(5) He can trust in God that it will be well in the end. And
(6) The righteous can commune with Christ therein. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Lost foundations
Here is the expression of a mortal fear. The idea occurred to the mind of the Psalmist that the very foundations of law and order may be destroyed. This is the most disastrous temptation that can assail the human mind. Immediately following it are all the consequences of a panic. So long as evils seem to be open to the restraints of civilisation and the penalties of righteous law, society retains a considerable sense of security, notwithstanding occasional and even violent outrage. In this case, however, the idea has occurred that the very foundations of law, justice, and equity might be ploughed up and utterly destroyed. Then the question arises, What will the righteous do? All life that is to be solid and lasting is really a question of foundations. Our inquiry should be into basis, principles, original necessities, the eternal fitness of things, the harmony that is based upon the very nature of God. Whatever errors there may be in the superstructure of society, there should be no doubt about the solidity of the cornerstones upon which the building is set. The great necessity of Christian civilisation is to have a solid basis, to lay down principles which do not admit of disputation, and to secure assent to laws which express the spirit of eternal righteousness. Hence the work of Christianity is profound. It is the honour of Christianity that it alone is profoundly careful concerning the bases of society and the bases of the individual life. It insists upon the foundation being Divine, not human. (Joseph Parker, D. D.)
Disturbances in nations
All disturbances in nations are but appointed dispensations marked out on the plan of God. We may safely trust God to reign in a manner worthy of Him. Do you ask why Gods purposes cannot be fulfilled without all this earthly trouble? They would have been, if sin had no dominion on earth. But man being sinful, the way of suffering is the only way for him to pursue. Often have men thought that the foundations were destroyed. They thought so in Davids time. But the greater the activity and apparent disorder of the hive, the more does the fruit of the honeycomb abound; the more the threads which cross and appear to confuse with each other on the loom, the richer and purer is the damask. See what days of blessing have followed days of adversity and trial It is sometimes difficult to see which of two courses of action should be chosen. Weakness submits to evil circumstances; decision overcomes evil with good. Hanani grieves over the condition of Jerusalem; but Nehemiah resolves to amend it. Erasmus denounced with his pen the evil in the Church of his day, but kept aloof from the work of reformation. Luther nerved himself for battle. When political troubles threaten, what are we to do? Some Christians refuse to take action. But political action may be requisite, and if a man can see a plain way of duty he should follow that way. Whatever may be the disturbances of the foundations of society, it is the duty of the Christian to trust. There have also been ecclesiastical disturbances, but let us be sure that God will bring good out of them. Let our ruling aim be to nourish in ourselves the life hidden with Christ in God. (John Jessop, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 3. If the foundations be destroyed] If Saul, who is the vicegerent of God, has cast aside his fear, and now regards neither truth nor justice, a righteous man has no security for his life. This is at present thy case; therefore flee! They have utterly destroyed the foundations; (of truth and equity;) what can righteousness now effect? Kimchi supposes this refers to the priests who were murdered by Doeg, at the command of Saul. The priests are destroyed, the preservers of knowledge and truth; the Divine worship is overthrown; and what can the righteous man work? These I think to be also the words of David’s advisers. To all of which he answers:-
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
If; or, for; or, when.
The foundations, i.e. piety, and justice, and fidelity, and mercy, which are the pillars or foundations of a state or kingdom, as they are called, Psa 75:2,3; 82:5; by which they are established, Pro 29:14, and which Saul and his courtiers had manifestly violated and overthrown in persecuting David and his friends. The sense is, There is nothing in public administrations but disorder and oppression, and right can take no place.
What can the righteous do? the condition of all righteous men (whom thou hast engaged thyself to protect and deliver) will be desperate; which will not be for thine honour. Heb. what hath the righteous done? As for me and my friends, upon whom all the blame is laid, what have we poor, but righteous, persons (for such thou thou knowest us to be) done? namely, to cause all these calumnies and persecutions, or to occasion all these commotions and disturbances of public peace and justice. It is easy to slander us, but let them prove their accusations by any one of our actions.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Literally, “Thefoundations (that is, of good order and law) will be destroyed, whathas the righteous done (to sustain them)?” All his efforts havefailed.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
If the foundations be destroyed,…. Or, “for the foundations are destroyed” s; 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 principles of religion are derided and subverted; so that there is no standing, either in a political or religious sense. Jarchi interprets this of the priests of the Lord, the righteous, who are the foundations of the world, particularly the priests of Nob, slain by Doeg. Other Jewish writers, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, understand it of the purposes and counsels, nets and snares, laid by the wicked for the righteous, which are broken and destroyed; not by them, for what can they do? but by the Lord, who is in his holy temple. So it
what can the righteous do? or “what does the righteous one do” t? that is, the righteous Lord, he sits in the heavens, he beholds all the actions of the wicked, he distinguishes the righteous from them, and rains a violent storm of wrath upon them, as in the following verses; or “what has the righteous man done” u? what has David done, that the priests of Nob should be slain? nothing that was criminal; nor shall he bear the sin, but they, according to Jarchi’s sense; or rather, what has he done that the wicked should bend their bow, prepare their arrow, and attempt to shoot privily at him, and to overturn the foundations of justice and equity? nothing that deserves such treatment: or if the fundamental doctrines of true religion and everlasting salvation be subverted, what can the righteous do? he can do nothing to obtain salvation, nor do any good works of himself; the Chaldee paraphrase is, “wherefore does he do good?” he can have no principle, motive, or end to do good, if fundamental truths are destroyed: or “what should he do” w? something the righteous ones may do, and should do, when men are attempting to undermine and sap the foundation articles of religion; they should go to the throne of grace, to God in his holy temple, who knows what is doing, and plead with him to put a stop to the designs and attempts of such subverters of foundations; and they should endeavour to build one another up on their most holy faith, and constantly affirm it while others deny it; and should contend earnestly for it, and stand fast in it.
s “nam fundamenta destruuntur”, Piscator, Michaelis; “quoniam”, Pagninus, Montanus; so Ainsworth. t “justus quid operatus est?” Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Gejerus; “quid facit?” Syr. Arab. u “Justus quid fecit?” V. L. Munster, Tigurine versiom, Piscator; so Ainsworth. w “Quid fuerit operatus justus?” Junius Tremellius “quid fecerit?” Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
3. Truly, the foundations are destroyed. Some translate the word השתות, hashathoth, by nets, a sense in which the Scripture in other places often uses this word; and their explanation of the words is, that the wicked and deceitful arts which the ungodly practiced against David were defeated. If we admit this interpretation, the meaning of what he adds immediately after, What hath the righteous one done? will be, that his escape in safety was owing neither to his own exertion, nor to his own skill, but that, without putting forth any effort, and when, as it were, he was asleep, he had been delivered from the nets and snares of his enemies by the power of God. But the word foundations agrees better with the scope of the passage, for he evidently proceeds to relate into what straits he had been brought and shut up, so that his preservation was now to all appearance hopeless. Interpreters, however, who hold that foundations is the proper translation of the word, are not agreed as to the sense. Some explain it, that he had not a single spot on which to fix his foot; others, that covenants which ought to have stability, by being faithfully kept, had been often shamefully violated by Saul. Some also understand it allegorically, as meaning that the righteous priests of God, who were the pillars of the land, had been put to death. But I have no doubt of its being a metaphor taken from buildings, which must fall down and become a heap of ruins when their foundations are undermined; and thus David complains, that, in the eyes of the world, he was utterly overthrown, inasmuch as all that he possessed was completely destroyed. In the last clause, he again repeats, that to be persecuted so cruelly was what he did not deserve: What hath the righteous one done? And he asserts his own innocence, partly to comfort himself in his calamities from the testimony of a good conscience, and partly to encourage himself in the hope of obtaining deliverance. That which encouraged him to trust in God was the belief which he entertained, that on account of the justice of his cause God was on his side, and would be favorable to him.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) The foundations.By this word must be understood the principles of morality, which are the foundation of society. Symmachus and Jerome render laws. But the rendering What could the righteous do? is doubtful. The image is of a house shattered by an earthquake (comp. Psa. 82:5); in such a case how find safety? The LXX. and Vulg. have Since they have destroyed what thou hast established, what has the righteous done? The order of the Hebrew words seems to support this rendering, While morality has been overthrown, the righteous what has he done? A suggested emendation, involving but a slight change in the Hebrew letters, would produce, however, a far better sense: If the foundations be destroyed, what will become of the tower, or superstructure?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. If foundations Not princes and nobles as pillars of the State, but laws and institutions of justice. Psa 75:3; Psa 82:5. When these are overthrown the righteous have no appeal.
What can the righteous do As if he would say, Having no appeal to justice or law, nothing remains but to seek safety by flight.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 11:3. If the foundations be destroyed, &c. When the foundations are pulled up, what hath the righteous man to expect? i.e. What is the work or reward of the righteous man? What has he to do or expect, when the very foundations of justice and government are turned upside down? See Psa 82:5. Isa 24:18. It was on this account, because the foundations were overthrown, and no regard was had to law or right, that David’s distrustful friends advised him to flee to the hills, as to places of strength and safety; since otherwise, however righteous himself, however good his cause, he would soon be seized upon and ruined. The rest of the Psalm contains his reply.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Ver. 3. If the foundations be destroyed ] If all things be turned “topsy turvy” in the state, and no regard had to right or wrong, Sed vi geritur res, ut in regno Cyclopico; if Saul, notwithstanding mine alliance to him, and innocence toward him, his many fair promises to me, and those hazards and hardships I have suffered for his sake, will needs go on to hunt me up and down, as a partridge in the mountains, and to seek mine utter undoing, what can I do to help it? how can it be but the most righteous must have his share of sufferings? See Psa 82:5 .
What can the righteous do?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the foundations: hashshathoth = settled order of truth or institutions; not the roof or walls.
the = a.
do. Not say or think, but lawfully and effectually “do”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
If the: Psa 75:3, Psa 82:5, Isa 58:12, 2Ti 2:19
what: 2Ki 19:13-18, 2Ki 22:12-14, 2Ch 32:13-15, Neh 6:10-12, Jer 26:11-15, Dan 3:15-18, Dan 6:10-28, Joh 11:8-10, Act 4:5-12, Act 4:24-33
Reciprocal: Eze 13:14 – the foundation Hab 1:4 – the law
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
FOUNDATIONS
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psa 11:3
I. Look at true foundations.(1) God is God, before all things pre-ordaining, revolving within Himself and all things else, as He pleases, the great foundation given to Moses in the bushI am! (2) This good God has given us a revelation. We can prove it by every evidence: the external evidenceprophecy; the internal evidencethe harmony; the experimental evidencewhat it has been to many, and what it is to me. (3) In the Revelation there is shown a waythe only wayby which a just God can forgive a sinner. He has found and accepted a Substitute, Who outweighs the whole worldHis own Son. (4) To communicate this thought and to give this faith, there is a Holy Ghost, Himself also God; and He being Spirit, works in the spirit of a man, and creates in his heart trust and love towards Jesus Christ. (5) As soon as by that Spirit a man really trusts, as a sinner, in Christ, he is united to Christ. God sees him in Christ, and in Christ God sees him righteous. (6) By the same union, and through the operation of the Holy Ghost, that man, now a living member in Christ, has a motive sufficient to change his whole life and to make him do all good works. God, inspiration, Christ, the Holy Ghost, faith, good worksthese are the foundations.
II. Be always looking to foundations and resting in foundations.Sometimes a child of God thinks he has lost his foundations. If he thinks so, he should see whether any part of his foundation is impaired, or loose, or out of order. (2) If he finds out the fault, he should try to repair it; but if not, then let him throw himself back at once on the all-foundation that God is God. There is nothing in the world so sure as a believers foundation. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more, but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Rev. James Vaughan.
Illustrations
(1) This psalm is referred by some to the eve of Absaloms conspiracy. David was so surrounded with hatred that flight seemed the one condition of life. It may be that voices spoke in his heart, and that we hear his dialogue with himself; or it may be that his friends advised him to be gone. But, whichever way it was, how well the Psalmists words describe the temptation which often sweeps across us to abandon resistance to prevailing evil, as hopeless and useless, and to betake ourselves to some soft nest embosomed in the rocks, beyond the reach of bow-shot or cannon-ball!
(2) When John Welsh and his fellow captives were summoned from their prison in Blackness on the Firth of Forth, to appear before the Court at Linlithgow, they sang this psalm as they marched during the night. While they were lying in their dungeon, deep and dark, one of the prisoners received a letter of encouragement from Lady Melville of Culross, one of the best women of her time, which bade them be thankful that they were only in the darkness of Blackness, and not in the blackness of darkness.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Psa 11:3. If the foundations be destroyed, &c. This also is thought to be spoken by the same persons, discouraging David from making any further resistance, by the consideration that the foundations of religion and virtue were subverted, and therefore all was over, and what they urged, could a man, engaged in the most righteous designs, hope to do, when that was the case. Bishop Patrick paraphrases the words thus, If men have no regard to laws and public decrees, which are the foundation of human society, but will boldly violate all known and standing rules of justice and truth; what can the righteous do? What security can an honest man have? or what should he do, but make haste away from the place where they act so arbitrarily, and are so perfidious?
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
11:3 If the {b} foundations be destroyed, what can the {c} righteous do?
(b) All hope of help is taken away.
(c) Yet am I innocent and my cause good.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
David’s faint-hearted counselors evidently felt the very foundations of their nation were in danger of being destroyed, namely: the Mosaic Law and the institutions of Judaism. [Note: C. A. Briggs and E. G. Briggs, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms , 1:89-90.] They felt distressed to the point of distraction over this possibility. Many faint-hearted people behave similarly today when they see foundational elements of their society under attack.
"God sometimes ’shakes things’ so that His people will work on building the church and not focus on maintaining the scaffolding (Heb 12:25-29; Hag 2:6)." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 109.]