Quiet Confidence | Psalm 11

INTRODUCTION

What do you do when you’re in a situation where your foundations are shaken? Do you fret, do you freeze, do you flee? Or do you have trust with a quiet confidence in the Lord?

What guidance does the Word of God offer for such circumstances?

This psalm talks about a situation that every one of us goes through in life. It is that time in life when pressure mounts, life is not going well at all, the enemy seems to be coming in from all directions, relationships are not working, resources are stretched beyond the breaking point, and we panic. It seems like a time when everything and everyone is against you. A hard time in life.

Structure

v1a: The Psalmist’s trust in the Lord.

v1b-2: The voice of the advisors asking David to flee.

v3: Bridge. What can one do when the foundations are destroyed? Trust in God or listen to advisors?

v4-7: David’s statement of faith. I will trust in the Lord. YAHWEH is the subject of every line.[1]

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

¹In the Lord I take refuge.

How then can you say to me:

“Flee like a bird to your mountain.

²For look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

at the upright in heart.

³When the foundations are being destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

⁴The Lord is in his holy temple;

The Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

⁵The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked, those who love violence,

he hates with a passion.

⁶On the wicked he will rain

fiery coals and burning sulfur;

a scorching wind will be their lot.

⁷For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

the upright will see his face.

Psalm of Trust

There are 10 Psalms known as the Psalms of trust. Psalm 11 is one among them. Typically, Psalms consist of praise, thanksgiving, or prayer, but Psalm 11 do not contain prayers, this is a psalm of trust. Psalm 23 is another Psalm of trust. These Psalms repeatedly express confidence in their reliance on the Lord.

The author of this Psalm is King David. David is in a situation of stress or panic. Psalm 11 is an excellent Psalm for times of panic.

The psalmist starts this Psalm with a trust in the Lord. The Psalmist is starting this Psalm with his confidence, trust, and strength in the Lord. His trust in the Lord is in the midst of a difficult circumstance he is facing.

In Psalm 1, we are introduced to the two groups of people; righteous and the wicked. The wicked goes in the way of the wicked, the righteous does the law of the Lord. By Psalm 3, the Psalmist is already crying, “Lord how many are my foes.” By Psalm 11 they wicked is attacking the righteous.[2]

Psalm 11:1

In the Lord I take refuge.

How does this Psalm end?

Psalm 11:7

For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

the upright will see his face.

This Psalm is encapsulated within the words of trust and scripture of faith, making it an inclusive Psalm. From its outset to its conclusion, the psalmist proclaims and reaffirms their faith. Thus, every word within this Psalm resonates with the essence of faith.

In this Psalm, the psalmist, David is in a very challenging position. David describes the challenge he is facing as shaking the very foundation of his existence.

Psalm 11:3

When the foundations are being destroyed,

what can the righteous do?

David finds himself in an extremely challenging situation. When faced with the complete destruction of our foundations, like the psalmist, we may feel utterly helpless. The crisis David faces threatens to dismantle the very core of his existence.

ILLUSTRATION

Consider the catastrophic events like the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the 26/11/2008 attacks in Mumbai, or the 2001 parliament attack. Such tragedies shake the very foundations of nations. Similarly, in our personal lives, we may encounter situations where our foundations are shattered, leaving us with no clear path forward.

As a pastor, I often witness the turmoil that ensues when people’s foundations are shaken. Consider the devastating scenario of a breadwinner losing his job, leaving a family of a wife and children dependent on him for sustenance. Imagine the heartbreak of a newlywed couple, torn apart by tragedy when one of them unexpectedly passes away. Someone diagnosed with cancer can instil fear and uncertainty about the future. Even if the patient recovers, there is a fear of relapse. Imagine a student who secured admission to a good college but the visa did not come through.

We all go through situations when our foundations are shaken.

In this situation, David’s advisors are offering him some words of advice.

Psalm 11:1b

How then can you say to me:

Flee like a bird to your mountain.

David has to decide his crisis and David’s advisors ask him to flee.

In life, we constantly face the need to make decisions. This is not exclusive to humans but applies to all living beings. Whether it’s an ant, an elephant, a bull, even plants, or a human being; all must make decisions throughout their lives. Some decisions, like brushing our teeth in the morning, become routine and require little thought. These are actions we perform instinctively, without much deliberation. Then we also have to make major decisions in life. When faced with problems and difficulties, decision-making becomes more challenging. We may sometimes need some friends or advisors to help us make those decisions.

David’s advisors ask him to flee. The point is one needs to be very careful from whom we take advise and what advice we take.

ILLUSTRATION

Psychologists say that when a person feels threatened there are some involuntary psychological defense mechanisms that human beings and animals usually do.

Flight

Run away from that situation. All creatures have this reaction.

For example: When a deer faces the lion, the deer has nothing else to decide. The deer runs as fast as possible. Flight, run away.

If we feel someone is against us or will defeat us, we sometimes flight from them. You go your way; I will go another way.

Fight

When a lion and an elephant come face-to-face, there is another option. The probably option here is to fight. They do not want to run immediately. “Lion, you say you are the king of the jungle, but I am powerful as well. Let us fight it over.”

Sometimes we want to fight. I have seen that when it comes to problems with property share, people fight with one another, the reason being they are not willing to let go. That can happen in the church, in families and also at our workplace. Since we have decided to fight there are situations where the husband and wife are sleeping in two rooms or even two homes. Why? They have declared war, they are fighting against each other.

Freeze

Some animals and even men when they are faced with a crisis, they freeze. For example, you are walking through the park and all of a sudden you see a snake charging at you. Some freeze not knowing what to do.

So, our psychological response is: 3F’s – Fight, flight, and freeze.

Now, David’s advisors are also telling him to flee, flee to the mountains.

Why flee to the mountains?

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

^1b“Flee like a bird to your mountain.

²For look, the wicked bend their bows;

they set their arrows against the strings

to shoot from the shadows

at the upright in heart.

The psalmist portrays himself as a bird in its next in this Psalm, symbolizing vulnerability and the need for protection.

ILLUSTRATION

In Bangalore, we used to have a lot of birds, including the tiny sparrows. Even today, some areas still host a variety of birds, although their numbers have significantly dwindled due to the concrete that now covers much of the city. Nonetheless, when we venture into nearby parks, we can still catch glimpses of various bird species.

A few years back, outside our church, there were trees adorned with bird nests. I envision one such bird meticulously building its nest atop a tall tree. Then, one dark, moonless night, a hunter lurks in the shadows, taking aim with a catapult at the unsuspecting bird perched on its nest. It’s a perilous moment, one that threatens the very foundation of the bird’s existence.

“The ‘wicked’ (pleural) are viewed collectively as a unified assassin, bending a single bow, setting a single arrow, and releasing a destructive dart out of the darkness – a sudden unanticipated attack.”[3]

The fear gripping the bird is palpable. See the fright of the bird:

In this dire situation, the bird’s companions urgently advise, “Flee like a bird to your mountain.” They recognize the imminent danger and implore the bird to escape swiftly, evading the hunter’s stone hurtling toward it.

In such moments of despair, the advice we receive may seem insufficient or inadequate.

Transition: The Psalmist says that he has another way other than these three responses. I will not fight, I will not flight, I will not freeze. But I will have faith.

All creatures including man, know only these three F’s – Fight, flight, and freeze. But the Psalmist says through this psalm that there is another strategy in our troubles, faith. Faith is the strategy of a godly person. This is the strategy of a child of God.

When troubles arise, one need not flee, engage in battle, or freeze. Instead, we have a different strategy, trust in God, place our unwavering faith in the Lord. Rather than freezing in fear, fleeing in panic, or engaging in futile battles, we can anchor ourselves in the assurance of God’s presence and sovereignty.

Remember:

The psalmist is not praying for protection.

The psalmist is not complaining on anyone. He has no complaints against those who want to hunt him down.

The psalmist is also not asking for rescue.

The psalmist is only declaring one thing: God will rescue.

While prayer during times of difficulty is imperative, it is paramount that our prayers stem from a foundation of unwavering faith. Let our supplications be anchored in a faith that remains steadfast—a faith that neither flees nor freezes, but stands resolute in the face of adversity.

An unshakeable trust in the Lord stands as one of the cornerstones of our Christian journey. At the core of Christian godliness lies a trust in God that remains steadfast, unwavering even in the face of life’s greatest challenges.

But the psalmist says, “No, I am not going to run away.”

ILLUSTRATION

In the book of Nehemiah, we witness Nehemiah’s adversaries employing various strategies to obstruct his work. Among these tactics was attempting to frighten and shame him. Despite these challenges, Nehemiah remained undeterred, seeking refuge within the house of Shemmiah.

Nehemiah 6:10-14

¹⁰One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”

¹¹But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” ¹²I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

¹⁴Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.

Tobiah and Sanballat resorted to deceitful tactics, bribing the prophet Shemmiah to close the doors upon Nehemiah’s arrival, intending to instil fear within him. Their scheme aimed to coerce Nehemiah into seeking refuge within the temple, under the false pretence of safety. By manipulating a prophet, they sought to tarnish Nehemiah’s reputation and undermine his leadership.

“Nehemiah possessed a deep inner understanding and discernment. He recognized that his mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem was ordained by the Lord Himself. With this conviction, Nehemiah remained steadfast and resolute, he did not flee. He refused to be swayed by fear or intimidation. His unwavering faith in God’s calling fortified him against any attempts to derail his purpose.

As we observe in Psalm 11 and the example of Nehemiah, both individuals exemplify unwavering trust in God. They refuse to yield to fear or flee from their challenges, demonstrating their reliance on the Lord’s protection and guidance. Indeed, running away from our problems signifies a lack of trust in God’s providence. It reflects an inability to perceive God’s presence amidst our trials.”

The Psalmist now presents two contrasting views:

One depicts the challenges and discouragement from advisors urging him to flee, and the other offers a perspective grounded in faith and trust in God’s provision. Despite the prevailing circumstances, the Psalmist maintains a steadfast and appropriate outlook anchored in divine assurance.

Psalm 11:4

The Lord is in his holy temple;

The Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

The Lord Is Present

Amid adversity, as the Psalmist gazes down from the tree, he encounters a scene of imminent danger—a hunter poised with a catapult, and voices urging him to flee. Yet, the Psalmist chooses to lift his eyes beyond the immediate threats, fixing them on a higher sight: the sovereign reign of God in heaven. In this divine perspective, the tree, the nest, the hunter, and even the arrows are under God’s control. Such understanding brings assurance that even the very foundations of existence rest securely in the hands of this omnipotent God.

The Lord is in his holy temple;

The Lord is on his heavenly throne.

Though God reigns from His throne in the highest heavens, He also chooses to dwell in His holy temple here on earth. God remains unshaken and eternally in power. In recognizing both of these realities, I am reminded that God’s presence transcends the celestial realm and permeates every aspect of my life. He is not only enthroned in majesty but also intimately near, residing within the temple of my heart. Thus, I find comfort in the assurance that God is with me, here and now, guiding and sustaining me through His ever-present love and grace; at the same time God is above all humans, ruling and rending his righteous judgement.[4]

David’s understanding encompasses two profound realities about God. He acknowledges God’s transcendence, recognizing His sovereignty over the supernatural realm. Yet, David also grasps God’s immanence, understanding that God is near, dwelling intimately with him and within him. This dual awareness of God’s transcendent and imminent presence enriches David’s faith and informs his relationship with the divine.

ILLUSTRATION

As Isaiah witnessed the decline of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, he observed their political turmoil and spiritual neglect, a period marked by the forgetfulness of the Lord. Amidst this backdrop, Isaiah, a chronicler of kings’ history, including King Uzziah, experienced a profound vision. In this vision, he beheld the glory of the Lord filling the temple, prompting him to repent, pray, and surrender completely. This encounter catalyzed a transformative shift in Isaiah’s life and ministry. No longer merely a recorder of historical events, Isaiah emerged as a vessel entrusted with proclaiming God’s story to the world.[5]

When Isaiah encountered the heavenly vision, his life underwent a profound transformation. Similarly, in our Christian journey and ministry, we witness individuals who, like Demas, may initially embrace the faith fervently, actively engaging in church life and service. However, some eventually falter and drift away, lured by the attractions of the world. Their inability to persevere and remain steadfast in their faith reflects a failure to behold the heavenly vision and to fix their eyes upon Jesus. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of steadfastness and perseverance in the Christian walk, anchoring ourselves in the heavenly perspective.

But when we go through problems and difficulties, turn our eyes from our problems and look at God, look at the vision that God has for us. If you can see the higher vision and truth, your life and ministry will change.

As a pastor and the head of my family, I’ve encountered deeply painful situations on more than one occasion. These experiences shook the very foundations of my life, leading me to believe I had reached a dead-end. Amidst the turmoil, I received countless well-meaning but often discouraging advice, leaving me overwhelmed with despair. Those days were fraught with anguish, each page of my life stained with tears. But one thing I have realized:

Psalm 34:5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Though the journey was long and the situations seemed unchanging, it was when I embraced the heavenly vision and remembered the divine call upon my life that I found renewed hope. In moments of prayerful surrender, I would remind the Lord, “’You are the one who called me. You are the one who gave me life and purpose. You led me to this very situation.’ And in response, the Lord graciously reassured me, saying, ‘Fear not, for I have held your right hand.’”

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

When faced with challenges in ministry, work, or family life, the appropriate response is not to flee, resign, or change churches. Instead, it is to submit our situations to God and lift our eyes above, fixing them on the throne of God. He reigns sovereign over heaven and earth simultaneously, and His presence is with us in every moment. Therefore, let us not be consumed by our circumstances, but rather trust in the unchanging power and wisdom of God.

Psalm 17:8-9

⁸Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings

⁹from the wicked who are out to destroy me,

from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Indeed, despite the challenges we encounter in life, we can have confidence that we are protected and secure in God’s hands.

God Watches Over Me

Psalm 11:4

The Lord is in his holy temple;

The Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth;

his eyes examine them.

He observes and his eyes examine everyone. Nothing escapes his gaze.

From His heavenly throne, God observes all that unfolds on earth like he observed before the flood in Gen. 6 and the Tower of Babel in Gen. 11. God observes my struggles, the tree where my nest rests, even the hunter taking aim at me, and my adversaries seeking to harm me. In the grand scheme of things, we are not alone in our trials; we are under God’s watchful gaze. This divine surveillance extends not only to me but also to my enemies, instilling in me a sense of fearlessness.

ILLUSTRATION

Just as the presence of CCTV cameras always captures the visuals which aid in identifying wrongdoers in earthly incidents like chain snatchings, so too does the ever-watchful eye of God ensure that nothing escapes His attention. Our heavenly Father’s constant vigilance offers reassurance and protection, reminding us that we are never out of His sight.

God observes both the righteous and the wicked. The fate of the wicked is seen immediately, but the fate of the righteous is seen at the end of this psalm, v7 (the upright will see his face).

God not only observes the righteous and the wicked, but he also distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked to take action.[6]

My Keeper Is Not A Sleeper

Psalm 121 is another psalm of trust. This psalm also talks about their confidence in the Lord.

Psalm 121

¹I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

²My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

³He will not let your foot slip—

he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord watches over you—

The Lord is your shade at your right hand;

⁶the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

⁷The Lord will keep you from all harm—

he will watch over your life;

⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

A God is watching over us even when we are sleeping. He will not let your foot slip. We trust in such a God.

• The Lord Is Present
• God Watches Over Me
• My Keeper Is Not A Sleeper

God Punishes The Wicked

Psalm 11:6

On the wicked he will rain

fiery coals and burning sulfur;

a scorching wind will be their lot.

God cannot dwell with the wicked; Ps. 5:4. Fiery coals and burning sulfur remind us of Sodom and Gomorrah in Gen. 18-19. In this psalm, the violent are expected to get the same divine judgement, in addition to the destruction of scorching wind; 11:6.[7]

God has a plan to address the actions of the evil and the wicked. There have been instances where people worked against me, yet I’ve learned that engaging in conflict with them only exacerbates the situation. Instead, we must entrust our circumstances to the Lord and allow Him to intervene according to His divine will. Attempting to resolve life’s challenges using human methods and wisdom borders on idolatry. When we rely on our understanding, we elevate ourselves above God, which is akin to idol worship.

God Is My Friend, I Must Share My Concerns With Him

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer

God is our friend, and as with any true friend, we can share all our needs and concerns with Him openly. In John 15, Jesus referred to His disciples as friends, highlighting the intimate relationship we have with Him. Just as Jesus welcomed His disciples into friendship, so too can we approach God with trust and confidence, knowing that He listens attentively to our every need.

Psalm 11:5

The Lord examines the righteous,

but the wicked, those who love violence,

he hates with a passion.

The Lord examines the righteous.

God Will Uplift The Upright

Psalm 11:7

For the Lord is righteous,

he loves justice;

the upright will see his face.

Just as a goldsmith increases the heat of the furnace to refine gold, so too does God allow us to undergo examinations or tests. These tests may come in the form of shaken foundations or adversaries aiming at us, but through them, God is refining our faith. In these trials, we must remember that the same God who orchestrates the tests is also the one who ensures that we are not subjected to more than we can bear. He is ever-present, closely watching over us, near the furnace of our trials.

With such faith, there is no need for fear, for we trust in the sovereign care and timing of our God, who will deliver us at the appointed time. God will uplift the righteous.

God is righteous and he loves justice. Although the upright are under attack and their foundations are shaken, the psalmist trusts in the trusts in established righteousness of YAHWEH to examine all humans, whether righteous or wicked, and deliver appropriate judgment to each. For this reason, we can affirm God as our refuge and trust that the upright will see his face. Coming into the presence of a ruler and seeing his face was an honour that was not taken lightly (Gen. 47:2, 7; 2 Sam. 14:24; Esth. 4:11).[8]

Examples of the response of Faith:

Moses: In Exodus 14, the children of Israel find themselves in a seemingly impossible situation, with the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them. Caught between the devil and the deep sea, they are filled with fear and uncertainty. They are frozen.

In the face of this crisis, Moses steps forward to encourage the people. He reminds them of the power and faithfulness of God, urging them to stand firm and trust in His deliverance. Moses’s words serve as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of their circumstances, instilling courage and resolve in the hearts of the Israelites.

Like the children of Israel, we too may encounter moments when we feel trapped between overwhelming challenges. In such times, let us draw strength from Moses’s example, clinging to the promises of God and facing our fears with unwavering faith. For just as God parted the Red Sea for His people, He will make a way for us, leading us to victory and freedom.

Moses encourages the people.

Exodus 14:13

¹³Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

In moments of uncertainty and adversity, Moses’s words echo through the ages, urging us not to succumb to fear or panic. Instead, we are called to be still, trusting in the sovereignty and provision of God. We are promised to have special access to our heavenly king.

I Need To Be Still

Moses’s faithfulness is mirrored in the Psalmist’s resolve to seek refuge in God rather than fleeing to the mountains. In times of indecision and confusion, it is crucial to refrain from relying solely on human wisdom or the counsel of others. Instead, we must seek God’s perspective and guidance, allowing His divine wisdom to illuminate our path forward.

Life in faith demands that we trust God’s unfailing promises, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles or crossroads. By anchoring ourselves in His truth and seeking His will above all else, we can navigate through life’s uncertainties with confidence and assurance.

Example 2: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s unwavering faith in Daniel exemplifies extraordinary courage. Refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, they faced a fiery fate. Even when offered a second chance to compromise, they remained steadfast, trusting in God’s deliverance. Their resolute faith inspires believers to stand firm in conviction despite trials.

Daniel 3:14-18

¹⁴and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? ¹⁵Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Their response is unequivocal: They refuse to flee or engage in conflict with the king, recognizing their inability to contend with his power. Instead, they place their trust in the great King of heaven, confident in His deliverance. Even if He chooses not to rescue them, they remain unafraid. Their faith in God’s deliverance does not waver.

Throughout history, prophets faced dire situations, yet shared a common trait: when confronted with heavenly visions, they did not resort to fighting, fleeing or freezing. Instead, they clung to their faith in Jesus, standing firm. God intervened according to His will, providing solutions to their predicaments. Thus, their steadfastness serves as a testament to the power of unwavering faith in God’s sovereignty.

CONCLUSION

In life, we often encounter daunting challenges and for some that can lead some to contemplate drastic measures like suicide. However, fleeing from our problems is not the answer. Instead, we must recognize the presence of a higher dimension—a divine realm where God strengthens and sustains us, even in our darkest moments. Though it may seem like we are abandoned, God remains ever-present, both in heaven and within us as His temple. His watchful gaze never wavers, examining our hearts and offering solace in surrender.

In times of fear and anxiety, the answer is not to run away but to stay put and trust that God will deal with our enemies and not allow the foundations of his church and his people to be ruined.[9]

LIFE APPLICATION POINTS

The Faithful Take Refuge In The Lord.

The Faithful Hold Fast To Their Faith When Law And Order Are Threatened.

The Faith Of God’s People Is In The Sovereign Authority Of the Lord Who Loves Righteousness And Hates Wickedness.

The Sovereign Lord Deals Righteously With The Righteous And The Wicked.

The Sovereign Lord Loves Righteousness And Will Cause The Righteous To Triumph.

Work Consulted

Goldingay, John. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisom and Psalms. Vol. 1: Psalms 1-41. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. www.bakeracademic.com.

Pulikottil, Paulson. The Prince and the Emperor. 1. Kerala, India: Fountain Press, n.d.

Villanueva, Federico. Asian Bible Commentary Psalam 1-72. Udaipur, India: Open Door Publications, 2016.

Wilson, Gerald H. The NIV Application Commentary Psalms Volume 1. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, n.d.

Wintle, Brian. South Asia Bible Commentary. Udaipur, India: Open Door Publications, 2015.

ENDNOTES

[1] John Goldingay, Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisom and Psalms., vol. 1: Psalms 1-41 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013), 129, www.bakeracademic.com.

[2] Federico Villanueva, Asian Bible Commentary Psalam 1-72 (Udaipur, India: Open Door Publications, 2016), 76.

[3] Gerald H. Wilson, The NIV Application Commentary Psalms Volume 1 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, n.d.), 250.

[4] Wilson, 251.

[5] Paulson Pulikottil, The Prince and the Emperor, 1 (Kerala, India: Fountain Press, n.d.), 31–32.

[6] Brian Wintle, South Asia Bible Commentary (Udaipur, India: Open Door Publications, 2015), 628.

[7] Wilson, The NIV Application Commentary Psalms Volume 1, 254.

[8] Wintle, South Asia Bible Commentary, 628.

[9] Wintle, 628.