The Bible: Psalms Chapter 12: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 12 For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David.

1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from amongst the children of men.

2 Everyone lies to his neighbour. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,

4 who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"

5 "Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him."

6 The LORD's words are flawless words, as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.

7 You will keep them, LORD. You will preserve them from this generation forever.

8 The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted amongst the sons of men.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 12 For the Chief Musician; upon an eight-stringed lyre. A Psalm of David. Guide

Out of a consciousness of the terrible evil of his times, the worshipper cries to Jehovah for help. The failure of godly men and faithful souls is always the gravest peril which can threaten a nation or an age. There is no trouble which more heavily afflicts the heart of the trusting. The note here is more characterized by faith than that of Psalms 10:1-18. Here is a cry for help but no suggestion that God is indifferent. Indeed, there is an immediate affirmation of confidence in the interest and interference of God. It is very beautiful to notice how, in answer to the cry and the affirmation of confidence, Jehovah speaks so that the singer hears Him and is able to announce Jehovah's response before the song ceases.

This answer of Jehovah is most precious. It promises the preservation of the trusting. The psalmist breaks out in praise of the purity of Jehovah's words and declares that Jehovah will "keep them" and "preserve them." The "them" here refers to the words. There is no promise of widespread revival or renewal. It is the salvation of a remnant and the preservation of His own words which Jehovah promises. Thus the psalm ends with a description of the same condition which it at first describes. It is the cry of a godly soul for help amid prevailing ungodliness and it is answered.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 12 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. The psalmist begs help of God, because there were none among men whom he durst trust.

Verses 1-8

This psalm furnishes good thoughts for bad times; a man may comfort himself with such meditations and prayers. Let us see what makes the times bad, and when they may be said to be so. Ask the children of this world, What makes the times bad? they will tell you, Scarcity of money, decay of trade, and the desolations of war, make the times bad: but the Scripture lays the badness of the times on causes of another nature, 2Ti 3:1, &c.: perilous times shall come, for sin shall abound; and of this David complains. When piety decays times really are bad. He who made man's mouth will call him to an account for his proud, profane, dissembling, or even useless words. When the poor and needy are oppressed, then the times are very bad. God himself takes notice of the oppression of the poor, and the sighing of the needy. When wickedness abounds, and is countenanced by those in authority, then the times are very bad. See with what good things we are here furnished for such bad times; and we cannot tell what times we may be reserved for.

  1. We have a God to go to, from whom we may ask and expect the redress of all our grievances.
  2. God will certainly punish and restrain false and proud men.
  3. God will work deliverance for his oppressed people. His help is given in the fittest time. Though men are false, God is faithful; though they are not to be trusted, God is. The preciousness of God's word is compared to silver refined to the highest degree. How many proofs have been given of its power and truth! God will secure his chosen remnant, however bad the times are. As long as the world stands, there will be a generation of proud and wicked men. But all God's people are put into the hands of Christ our Saviour; there they are in safety, for none can pluck them thence; being built on Him, the Rock, they are safe, notwithstanding temptation or persecution come with ever so much force upon them.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.