If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3)
Many a well-meaning persons, have used this verse as a springboard to voice their ideas of how the foundations of our world, nation, government or church are crumbling and what people can do about it. Indeed the destruction of any nation, business or church entity is the result of their being built upon a faulty foundation. Many a nation that have been built upon the sand of human reason and ingenuity have fallen; many a church built upon the sand of pragmatism, liberalism or psychology are crumbling as a result. However, to make suggestions as to ‘what the righteous can do’ under such circumstances, is not what the text of Psalm 11 does.
On the contrary Psalm 11 does not advocate that the righteous do anything, except take refuge in God. Though David’s comrade is telling him to ‘flee like a bird to the mountain’ (v. 1), David knows better. Rather than being shaken into some extreme action, he knows that his foundation cannot be destroyed. David knows most certainly, that if the foundation be destroyed, there is nothing anybody can do, because the foundation determines everything. Indeed, if Christ, our foundation could possibly be destroyed, then, where can we run? – the mountains, Texas, perhaps Alaska? No. Pull our foundation out from under us and we are a people completely without hope. Perhaps that is why the question posed in Psalm 11:3 goes unanswered. It is a rhetorical, even absurd proposition. Instead, take heart for even under the worst conditions on earth, the Psalmist assures us, The LORD is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven (Ps 11:4).
