Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Psalms 12, a poignant reflection on societal decay and divine faithfulness, presents a stark contrast between the deceitful words of the wicked and the pure, reliable promises of God. In a world seemingly overrun by hypocrisy and corruption, David cries out for deliverance, finding solace and assurance in the unwavering truth of God's character and Word. This psalm is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, God remains a steadfast refuge for the righteous.
The Lament of a Righteous Man (12:1-4)
David begins by lamenting the apparent disappearance of the righteous from the earth. He observes that "the loyal have disappeared from the human race" (12:1), replaced by a culture of deceit and flattery. This echoes similar cries found elsewhere in the Old Testament (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 22), reflecting the timeless struggle of the faithful against pervasive wickedness.
The psalmist highlights the prevalence of lying and hypocrisy (12:2-4). People speak with "double hearts," flattering others with dishonest and exaggerated compliments, all with the intent to manipulate and exploit. Such individuals are arrogant, believing their smooth talk will shield them from consequences. They boast, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are our own; who is master over us?" (12:4). David's anguish stems from the void created by the absence of righteousness, a void quickly filled by corruption and self-serving deceit. He appeals to God to "cut off all flattering lips" (12:3), a plea for divine intervention to silence the voices of wickedness.
God's Promise of Intervention (12:5)
In response to David's plea, God declares, "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs" (12:5). This verse marks a turning point in the psalm, shifting from lament to hope. David connects wickedness with the abuse of the poor and weak. God's intervention is not merely a response to David's personal distress but a defense of the vulnerable. While final deliverance and justice will fully manifest in His kingdom, God's sovereignty can break through at any moment to right the wrongs committed on earth. This promise offers comfort and assurance that God sees the suffering of His people and will act on their behalf.
The Purity of God's Word (12:6)
Verse 6 presents a powerful contrast to the deceitful words of humanity: "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times" (12:6). God's Word, including His written Word, is compared to ultra-refined silver, purged of all impurities. The refining process removes lesser metals, leaving only the pure, valuable substance. The number seven, often associated with perfection in the Bible, emphasizes the absolute purity and trustworthiness of God's Word. It is a stark contrast to the cheap and worthless lies that saturate the world.
God's Protection and the Prevalence of Evil (12:7-8)
David concludes with a renewed confidence in God's protection: "You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever" (12:7). God is faithful to keep His promises and to preserve those He loves from the harm brought about by deceptive words. Despite the overwhelming presence of wickedness, God's Word will ultimately overrule the deeds of the wicked.
The psalm ends with a somber observation: "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man" (12:8). Humanity often exalts what is worthless, choosing inferior lies over the refined silver of God's Word. Peter echoes this idea of evil hunting like a predator (1 Peter 5:8). The term translated "vileness" implies something cheap or worthless, highlighting humanity's tendency to prefer deception over truth. Yet, even in the face of such pervasive evil, David's faith in God's protection remains unshaken. The Lord will prevail.
Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
Psalms 12, a poignant reflection on societal decay and divine faithfulness, presents a stark contrast between the deceitful words of the wicked and the pure, reliable promises of God. In a world seemingly overrun by hypocrisy and corruption, David cries out for deliverance, finding solace and assurance in the unwavering truth of God's character and Word. This psalm is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, God remains a steadfast refuge for the righteous.
The Lament of a Righteous Man (12:1-4)
David begins by lamenting the apparent disappearance of the righteous from the earth. He observes that "the loyal have disappeared from the human race" (12:1), replaced by a culture of deceit and flattery. This echoes similar cries found elsewhere in the Old Testament (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 22), reflecting the timeless struggle of the faithful against pervasive wickedness.
The psalmist highlights the prevalence of lying and hypocrisy (12:2-4). People speak with "double hearts," flattering others with dishonest and exaggerated compliments, all with the intent to manipulate and exploit. Such individuals are arrogant, believing their smooth talk will shield them from consequences. They boast, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are our own; who is master over us?" (12:4). David's anguish stems from the void created by the absence of righteousness, a void quickly filled by corruption and self-serving deceit. He appeals to God to "cut off all flattering lips" (12:3), a plea for divine intervention to silence the voices of wickedness.
God's Promise of Intervention (12:5)
In response to David's plea, God declares, "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs" (12:5). This verse marks a turning point in the psalm, shifting from lament to hope. David connects wickedness with the abuse of the poor and weak. God's intervention is not merely a response to David's personal distress but a defense of the vulnerable. While final deliverance and justice will fully manifest in His kingdom, God's sovereignty can break through at any moment to right the wrongs committed on earth. This promise offers comfort and assurance that God sees the suffering of His people and will act on their behalf.
The Purity of God's Word (12:6)
Verse 6 presents a powerful contrast to the deceitful words of humanity: "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times" (12:6). God's Word, including His written Word, is compared to ultra-refined silver, purged of all impurities. The refining process removes lesser metals, leaving only the pure, valuable substance. The number seven, often associated with perfection in the Bible, emphasizes the absolute purity and trustworthiness of God's Word. It is a stark contrast to the cheap and worthless lies that saturate the world.
God's Protection and the Prevalence of Evil (12:7-8)
David concludes with a renewed confidence in God's protection: "You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever" (12:7). God is faithful to keep His promises and to preserve those He loves from the harm brought about by deceptive words. Despite the overwhelming presence of wickedness, God's Word will ultimately overrule the deeds of the wicked.
The psalm ends with a somber observation: "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man" (12:8). Humanity often exalts what is worthless, choosing inferior lies over the refined silver of God's Word. Peter echoes this idea of evil hunting like a predator (1 Peter 5:8). The term translated "vileness" implies something cheap or worthless, highlighting humanity's tendency to prefer deception over truth. Yet, even in the face of such pervasive evil, David's faith in God's protection remains unshaken. The Lord will prevail.