Yes, it is a simple reply, it is an easy statement to utter, but quite a difficult thing to put into practice. For many of us, the claim is made, and then we run around like Chicken Little all day worried about the sky falling. Worried about every little thing in life as if our work was the only thing holding God's work together. I like the way David makes the claim. He makes it and then says, based on that claim, that no one could get him worked up about the circumstances.
"How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?" - You can't tell me to flee, my trust in is God!
"For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart." - You want me to worry because the wicked are out to get me? God is out to protect me!
"If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" - You want me to worry about the foundation being destroyed? My foundation is God, good luck with that!
After dismissing all their 'Chicken Little' excuses for why he should be scared, worried, and running around like a chicken with its head cut off, he moves on to soothe their worries.
"The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven:
his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men."
- Psalm 11:4a
No matter what came David's way, this statement was still true. God was still on his throne, God was still in charge. No matter what comes our way this week, this statement will always be true. Don't let circumstances get you down, get you scared, make you run for the hills. God in in his temple, he is on his throne, he is still the judge. And for the righteous? Those who seek to be right with God?
"For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;
his countenance doth behold the upright"
- Psalm 11:7
Just in case you want to check out the whole Psalm in context, here it is:
Psalm 11
In the Lord put I my trust:
how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow,
they make ready their arrow upon the string,
that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven:
his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
The Lord trieth the righteous:
but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
Upon the wicked he shall rain snares,
fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:
this shall be the portion of their cup.
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;
his countenance doth behold the upright.
