This psalm was written by David. The psalm opens with a statement: In the Lord I take refuge. This is a confident statement from David on who he trusts. People were telling David to run away. He was confronted with people secretly plotting against him, to attack him. David cries, "what can the righteous do?"

When people plot against the righteous, the righteous have only one recourse - to run to God. David does not call to God in this psalm. He states who God is and what he does.

In our despair and fears, we remember who God is - he is our refuge. He is in his Holy temple in heaven. He is Almighty and nothing can touch him nor affect his position.

We remember what God does - he tests the righteous and the wicked. The word test here has an interesting meaning. It means to test specially metal, to prove. God tests the righteous and wicked. Metal is tested by putting it through fire so that the impurities will melt and only the pure metal will remain.

God does this to the righteous. He purifies the righteous by allowing them to experience difficulties - so that the result will be a purer heart.

He hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Coal will rain on the wicked. Fire and brimstone is in store for the wicked. This is to say that the wicked will suffer in the end. There will be justice. All these because the Lord is righteous and he loves righteousness. God is true to his word. God is righteous. Justice will be done because of the righteousness of God.