What does Psalm 11:3 mean?

This verse is often cited when referring to the collapse of godly authority. The Hebrew phrasing here can be taken in more than one way. This is most often translated as asking "if—or when—this happens, what can good people then do?" Another possibility is to render this as asking "…what have good people accomplished?" In either case, this verse warns of catastrophic results when fundamental principles are destroyed. In David's immediate case, this refers to his role as Israel's king and the consequences of abandoning that role. In a more general sense, it speaks to the ruin a society will face when the most basic aspects of godliness are removed.

David knew what would happen if the enemy triumphed. Because he was Israel's king, if the enemy succeeded, the nation's very foundations would be destroyed. Law and order grounded in righteousness and justice, under the headship of the godly king, would crumble. Evil and chaos would ensue. What could the righteous do in such a situation? Of course, David believed he would prevail. He was sure that law and order would continue. His trust was in the Lord (Psalm 11:4), therefore he was confident the enemy would not triumph.

Years later, God allowed Babylon to carry Israel into captivity because of her idolatry and neglect of the Sabbath. In both a symbolic and literal sense, the foundations were destroyed—including the demolition of the temple from its cornerstones. But in his perfect timing, God raised up Ezra to return to Jerusalem and lay the foundation (Ezra 3). If doctrinal error destroys a church's foundation of truth, believers must restore the foundation before any healing can happen. Congregations must heed the Lord's admonitions to be and do what He desires (Revelation 2—3).