What Can the Righteous Do?

Society seems to be getting worse.

While I try not to start my posts with negative comments, the sentiment above is a common one. Many people buy into it, including a good number of Christians.

Church responses vary. Some renew evangelistic efforts, others retreat into isolation, and some plot out end times charts.

The Bible addresses social decline; God isn’t surprised by the decay of this world. Past, present, future–He’s aware of everything.

And He cares about His people in the midst of it all. The Lord’s committed to our well-being, although He prioritizes our spiritual vitality.

Throughout his life, the psalmist David struggled with military dangers, social upheavals, and power dynamics. He wrote a short psalm which addresses how he handled these issues. Through his perspective, we learn what God thinks about them and how He responds.

Although this psalm isn’t long, I’ll break it up into two parts to make it easier to grasp its main points. (I’m using the NASB in this post.)

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain? ²For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, they have set their arrow on the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. ³If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’” – Psalm 11:1-3

David doesn’t define the trouble he’s facing, but he’s dealing with something menacing. Someone–an advisor, a friend, a loyal servant–is bemoaning David’s lot and urging him to hide himself.

But David starts out by trumpeting his trust in the Lord. Who he is and what he has he owes to God. David knows to shield himself from evil, but he relies on the Lord for protection.

People are out to get him, the advisor warns, and David may not even see their attacks coming. Snipers will hunt him at night, when he can’t spot them.

He’s in trouble.

And then the partner worries about the destruction of foundations. What is he talking about? Why mention this?

Before we answer these questions, let’s finish the psalm.

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes see, His eyelids test the sons of mankind. ⁵The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and His soul hates one who loves violence. ⁶He will rain coals of fire upon the wicked, and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup. ⁷For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will see His face. – Psalm 11:4-7

Regardless of what’s happening on earth, order prevails in heaven. David recognizes God’s temple and His throne are secure; nothing imperils them.

But the Lord isn’t aloof; He’s aware of conditions on the ground. The psalmist implies that God allows these difficulties to test people. Will they choose what is good or will they oppress others? Will they do what is decent even if they suffer for it, or will they look out only for themselves?

Because the Lord is righteous, He favors the righteous. He promises to reward them but He admonishes wicked people that He will burn up what they have. Judgment will leave them with nothing. They will lose all the resources of this world on which they set their affections. Their future will be vacant in every way that matters.

But the righteous will see God’s face! That’s the ultimate blessing! 

Now let’s revisit the crumbling foundations.

The Hebrew word translated “foundations” (sata) isn’t common. It occurs only twice in the Old Testament. Here’s the other reference:

“And the pillars of Egypt will be crushed; all the hired laborers will be grieved in soul.” – Isaiah 19:10

The context (Isaiah 19:5-10) describes environmental and economic devastation. Then, the Lord chastises governmental authorities (vss. 11-15).

Describing God’s judgment of Egypt, verse 10 contrasts two groups of people. The “pillars” signify the elite in society, while “hired laborers” make up the bulk of the working population.

Isaiah prophesies a social catastrophe that will wreck Egypt’s economy.

David connects the Hebrew noun sata to the righteous. He doesn’t have work or livelihood in mind, but like Isaiah, he’s dealing with social chaos.

The psalmist finds his security in God. Those who are in a right relationship with Him will enjoy His safety. It’s David’s enemies who ought to fret about their future! The Lord is testing them and they’re failing. They’re the ones who face certain danger when God judges them. 

But the times will be difficult. Whether drawn out or in a moment, the overthrow of laws, morality, and leadership ruins a society. For most people, there will be nowhere to turn; they’ll be on their own.

Yet the righteous depend on the Lord. He is their stronghold. This was true in David’s day, and remains valid for Christians. Jesus will never let us down.

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Although the bedrock of cultures may fall apart, the church of Jesus Christ abides. The Lord is making us into solid saints who can endure trials and offer hope to the lost and suffering.

That’s what the righteous can do!