In the three previous Psalms our Lord uses His Name, His Presence and His Breath to overcome the enemies of sin, death and the devil. In Psalm 11 He uses Fire to destroy the enemies within and without; fire signifies the Holy Spirit combining the red hot fire of the Word of God and the white hot furnace of life experience to burn up or to burn away. The Spirit tests both the righteous and the evil as in a refinery purifying gold and silver to burn away the enemy within, sin and death; the same fire burns up the enemy without, death and devil, as in fire and brimstone. God loves righteousness and hates evil, so he gave us His Son to make everyone righteous. Whatever rejects God’ Love is burned in the fire.
When crisis arises we do not flee away like a bird because the enemy still prepares his bow and arrow and he will find us; instead we trust in God by running into his presence, his holy temple and his throne in heaven. God’s Word and our experiences teach us to turn to the Cross and let Jesus overcome.