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Psalm 11 · a question people ask

"If the foundations are destroyed" (11:3). What are the foundations?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say. The word comes only twice in the Hebrew Bible (tap foundations). Brown-Driver-Briggs gives it as "foundation, stay (of society)", and Strong's as "a basis, i.e. (figuratively) political or moral support". Its other use is "The pillars will be broken in pieces" (Isaiah 19:10), where pillars is this word. The verb destroyed is one Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "throw down, break or tear down". The psalm asks, "what can the righteous do?" (Psalm 11:3), and the next verse doesn't list anything the righteous do. It speaks of the LORD: "The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven" (Psalm 11:4).

The verses

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple. The LORD is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.”
Psalm 11:3-4 · World English Bible
“The pillars will be broken in pieces. All those who work for hire will be grieved in soul.”
Isaiah 19:10 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 11

Psalm 11: In the LORD, I take refuge

"His eyes observe" (11:4) and "The upright shall see his face" (11:7) are the same Hebrew word, yechezu: the LORD's eyes see, and the upright shall see his face. And the psalm that asks "what can the righteous do?" (11:3) ends, "For the LORD is righteous" (11:7), with the same word.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions