Psalm 12
Psalm 12 expresses David’s lament over the prevalence of deceit and oppression in society, contrasting it with God’s faithfulness and His words of purity. The psalm highlights the psalmist’s confidence that God will preserve the righteous despite the surrounding evil.
Psalm 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.
2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.
David cries out to God, feeling that righteous and faithful people are becoming rare. He is troubled by the prevalence of deceit, flattery, and hypocrisy among people. The phrase “double heart” indicates insincerity, where words do not match inner motives. This lament reveals his concern that the moral fabric of society is unraveling.
Psalm 12:3-4 (NKJV)
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,
4 Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”
David prays for God to intervene and silence those who use their words to deceive and oppress. The arrogant speech of the wicked suggests they believe they can act without accountability, rejecting any authority, including God’s. This reflects the pride and rebellion of those who misuse words for selfish gain.
Psalm 12:5 (NKJV)
5 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
God responds to the suffering of the oppressed and promises to act on their behalf. His intervention brings hope to the vulnerable, affirming that He hears their cries and will provide protection. This verse emphasizes God’s care for the poor and His commitment to justice.
Psalm 12:6 (NKJV)
6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
God’s words are perfect and trustworthy, in stark contrast to the deceitful speech of people. The metaphor of silver refined seven times highlights the flawless nature of God’s promises, reassuring believers that they can rely on His truth.
Psalm 12:7-8 (NKJV)
7 You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
8 The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
David expresses confidence that God will protect His people from a corrupt generation. However, he also acknowledges the reality that wickedness surrounds them, especially when immoral behavior is celebrated in society. While some interpret verse 7 as referring to God’s preservation of His words or even the Bible itself, a closer look at the context suggests otherwise. The focus of the psalm is on the protection of the righteous amidst a morally depraved culture, as David asks God to guard His people from those who threaten them. David’s assurance lies in God’s ongoing care for the faithful, even as wickedness persists. Thus, rather than emphasizing the preservation of Scripture, the passage emphasizes God’s commitment to uphold and sustain the righteous in the face of a corrupt generation.