Psalm 11:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 11:4-7

The shaking of a tree (they say) makes it take the deeper and faster root. The attempt of David's enemies to discourage his confidence in God engages him to cleave so much the more closely to his first principles, and to review them, which he here does, abundantly to his own satisfaction and the silencing of all temptations to infidelity. That which was shocking to his faith, and has been so to the faith of many, was the prosperity of wicked people in their wicked ways, and the straits and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked ,.... The wicked one, the man of sin, antichrist, and upon all that worship the beast and his image, on all persecutors, and upon all wicked men in general: he shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and an horrible tempest ; this will be in hell, as Jarchi observes. The allusion is to the Lord's raining fire and brimstone from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah, which was an example and emblem of eternal fire; see Genesis 19:24 . For the beast and the false prophet, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain - This is a manifest allusion to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Snares - Judgments shall fall upon them suddenly and unawares. Fire - Such as shall come immediately from God, and be inextinguishable. Brimstone - Melted by the fire, for their drink! This shall be the portion of their cup. A horrible tempest - זלעפות רוח roach zilaphoth , "the spirit of terrors." Suffering much, and being threatened with more, they shall be filled with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 11:6

Verse 6 6.He will rain upon the ungodly. David now, in the last place, lays it down as a certain truth, that although God, for a time, may be still and delay his judgments, yet the hour of vengeance will assuredly come. Thus we see how by degrees he rises up to the hope of a happy issue to his present affliction, and he uses his efforts to attain this, that the social and moral disorder, which he saw prevailing around him, might not weaken his faith. As the tribunal of God remains firm and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 11:1-7

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 11:1-7

The victory of faith; or, rest amid storm. In each one of those psalms which represent some historic experience, there is its own differential feature. This feature it is the work of the student and expositor to seize and to utilize. We do not know and have no means of knowing the specific incidents in the writer's life to which reference is here made, £ although, since David was the writer, we should find but little difficulty in fixing on some passages of his history to which the psalm... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 11:1-7

A battle in the soul. Faith and fear are in conflict. Plausible reasons are suggested why the fight should be given up, but nobler thoughts prevail. I. FEAR CONFRONTING FAITH . ( Psalms 11:1-3 .) The outlook is discouraging. Our foes are many and strong; more, they are inveterate in malice; more still, they have already gained ground, and amidst the overturn of all right principles and the confusion worse confounded, it seems as if they were to prevail all along the line. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 11:1-7

Faith's antidote to fear. This psalm is referred by some to the early struggles of David against the unrelenting jealousy of Saul; by others to the rebellion of Absalom; by others to the general conflict ever waging between the good and the evil powers. The subject of it is "Confidence in the Lord, and his protection even against the mightiest force of the wicked." The two leading ideas are the doctrine of David's friends, and David's own doctrine. I. SAFETY IN DANGER COULD BE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares . On Divine displeasure follows Divine punishment—not always speedy, but sure. Those who have plotted against David will have" snares rained" upon them. God is said to "rain" on men both his blessings and his curses, when he gives them abundantly (comp. Job 20:23 ; Hosea 10:12 ; Ezekiel 34:26 ). By "snares" are meant any difficulties or troubles in which men are entangled by the action of Divine providence. Fire and brimstone . The punishment of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked - Upon all the wicked.He shall rain - He shall pour down as in a furious tempest.Snares - It seems rather incongruous to speak of raining down “snares, “ - understanding by the word snares, as it is used with us, that which entangles, as the snares by which we catch a bird, or by which a wild animal is taken. Compare the notes at Job 18:8-10. The word used here, however, seems to refer to anything by which one is taken in his career or course, or is involved in difficulties; and... read more

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