Bible Commentaries
Psalms 12

Verses 1-8

Psalms 12

EVIL SPEAKERS

Verses 1-8:

Help Sought Against Contemptible Speakers

Verse 1 is an abrupt, sudden cry, out of desperation, for the Lord to "help" or save, not "me," but all the flock of the righteous; For they were about to be overcome by the wicked, on every side, v.7, 8; Micah 7:2. It was a time of national defection or rebellion against David as King. Falsehood was spread everywhere, truth no where.

Verses 2, 3 relate that Israel’s masses spoke vanity (vain things) "everywhere," every one of his neighbors. Confidence could be put in the word of none. Of such lying, flattering lips, two hearted or two-faced talk, one to another, talking two conflicting ways to ones neighbors, Paul wrote, "putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." James 1:8 describes such duplicity as a "double minded," (Gk. dispsuchos) man, lying deceiver, as also expressed, 1 Chronicles 12:33. David then added that the Lord would "cut off" all flattering lips and the proud, boasting tongue, Isaiah 28:15. This conclusion is evidence that David had faith to believe that God would answer his "help Lord" cry of verse 1. In this way our Lord’s desires for His children to pray, even today, as expressed Mark 11:24.

Verse 4 adds that these lip-flatterers, boasters, proud, deceiving, two faced, double-tongued, enemies of God and David were vowing "with our tongue we will prevail," triumph or to be successful, Psalms 17:10; 1 Samuel 2:3; Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:25. They even boasted "our lips are our own;" Then they challenge in damning defiance to David, "who is lord over us?" to prevent us from doing as we please, our own things? They rebelled against David as God’s king, see? Judges 21:25. Like the Pharisees and Sadducees before Jesus they "would not have this man rule over us," for they were at "enmity with God," carnal, devilish, Romans 8:7.

Verse 5 recounts the Lord’s response to David’s cry, "help Lord," v.1. Because of 1) the oppression, and 2) the sighing of the needy, the Lord declared "I will set him in safety, from him that puffeth at him," in scorn, or boasts how he will ensnare him, rob and enslave him of all that he has, Psalms 10:5. He who heard Israel cry in Egypt’s bondage, and David’s cry at this hour is still listening for cries of help and desperation from His own children, as they yield themselves fully to Him as their liberator, Exodus 2:23-25; Exodus 3-9; Exodus 10; Psalms 145:18-19.

Verse 6 affirms that the words of the Lord are "pure words," like silver seven times purified in the earthen furnace until no dross is left, perfection has been reached, as the "number seven" is the number of perfection. God’s word of promise, covenant pledge of verse 5 is true; Yet David affirms that "all" His words were, as also certified Psalms 119:160; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; See also Psalms 18:30; Psalms 119:140; Proverbs 30:5. Man’s words are flattering deceitful, boasting, proud, lying, but "every word of God is pure, as much above man’s word as mountains are above the valley and as light is above darkness, and hope above despair. The Word of God has been tried by criticism, by science, and by long experience of time and is found to meet man’s moral, ethical, spiritual, and social needs above the words of all those of men and devils, till today. Like a tried medicine for sickness, a tried friend in trouble, a tried ship in bad weather, a tried anchor in the time of storm, the Word of God has never failed our ancestors, and it will never fail us, Matthew 24:35.

Verse 7 asserts that the Lord guards, preserves, and keeps those who cry to Him for help, as in v.1, hearing their cry and never deserting them, and all who cry to Him in need and in faith in all generations, Psalms 145:18-19; Hebrews 13:5.

Verse 8 indicates that tho the vilest and most wicked walk in self exaltation now, on every side, for men to observe, let it be recalled that like the antichrist who exalts himself "above all that is called God," they shall be brought low, judged for and in their base wickedness, 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Psalms 9:17; Psalms 82:6-7.