Psalm Twelve: The Words of the Lord are Pure Words. We can trust them
The Words of the Lord are pure and trustworthy. They have endured the tests of time, intense scrutiny, censorship, critical scholarship, and neglect. Leaders, religions, countries, and cultures, have tried to destroy it by banning, burning, or blacklisting it, but it remains the most popular and most-read book of all time.
The truths found in God’s Word are inescapable and true. We should face the God of the Bible in the way he recommends– in humble repentance. Or we will face Him as his enemy. That should be an easy choice but our pride makes that choice more difficult than it should be.
Micah 6:8
He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Psalm 12:1 The words of the Lord are ignored by the unfaithful
“To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 1. – Help, Lord; rather, Save, Lord, as in the margin (comp. Psalm 20:9, Psalm 28:9, Psalm 60:5, etc.). For the godly man ceaseth. “Ceaseth,” i.e., “out of the land ” – either slain or driven into exile. We must make allowance for poetic hyperbole. For the faithful fail from among the children of men (compare, for the sentiment, Micah 7:2). The writer, for the moment, loses sight of the “remnant” – the “little flock ” – which assuredly remained, and of which he speaks in verses. 5 and 7.
Psalm 12:2 The Words of the Lord give warning to flattering lips
“They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 2. – They speak vanity every one with his neighbor; rather, they speak falsehood (Kay, Cheyne). Contrast the injunction of the apostle (Ephesians 4:25). With flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak; literally, with lips of smoothness, and with a heart and a heart do they speak. The Authorized Version gives the true meaning (comp. 1 Chronicles 12:33).
Psalm 12:3 The Words of the Lord have warned the proud
“The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 3. – The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips. The complaint having been made, a threat follows (comp. Psalm 10:15, Psalm 11:6, Psalm 17:13, etc.). The men who flatter with their lips, beguiling and cozening their victims to get them completely into their power, shall be “cut off” from the congregation (see Genesis 17:14; Exodus 12:15, 19; Leviticus 7:20, 27; Leviticus 17:10, etc.). And the tongue that speaketh proud things; literally, greet rhinos; but proud and lofty boastings are intended (comp. Daniel 7:8, 20). The same man sometimes cozens with smooth words, sometimes blusters and talks big.
Psalm 12:4 The Words of the Lord override the words of the proud
“Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail. Our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 4. – Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; or, through our tongues are we powerful; i.e. whatever we desire we can accomplish through our tongues – by persuasion, or by menaces, or by skill in argument. Success in pleading before courts of law is, perhaps, included. Our lips are our own; literally, are with us; i.e. are on our side, are our helpers (“Nobis auxilio et praesto sunt,” Michaelis). Who is lord over us? Who, i.e., can interfere with us and impede our action? They do not believe in any righteous Judge and Controller of the world, who can step in to frustrate their plans, upset their designs, and bring them to ruin (see Psalm 10:4, 11; Psalm 14:1).
Psalm 12:5 The Words of the Lord tell of the end of oppression
“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.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 5. – For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord. The ungodly having been threatened, a promise of assistance is made to the righteous whom they oppress. God declares that, in response to the many calls made upon him (Psalm 3:7, Psalm 7:6, Psalm 9:19, Psalm 10:12), he will “now,” at last, “arise” – interpose on behalf of the oppressed, and deliver them (comp. Exodus 3:7, 8). I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. This is a possible meaning; but it is perhaps better to render, with Hengstenberg and Cheyne, “I will place him in the safety for which he sighs,” or “pants.”
Psalm 12:6 The Words of the Lord are pure and trustworthy
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 6. – The words of the Lord are pure words. There is no base alloy in them: therefore they may be trusted. What God promises, he will perform. As silver tried in a furnace of earth; rather, perhaps, silver assayed in a crucible on earth (Kay). Purified seven times (comp. Psalm 18:30, Psalm 19:8, Psalm 119:140, Proverbs 30:5).
Psalm 12:7 The Word of the Lord shall preserve the righteous
“Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 7. – Thou shalt keep them, O Lord. God has promised to set the righteous, who are oppressed, in a place of safety (ver. 5), the psalmist is sure that he will keep them and preserve them from the wicked “generation,” which has possession of the earth, and bears rule in it, always. It is, no doubt, for the greater consolation and encouragement of these unfortunates that he dwells on the subject, and adds his own assurances to the Divine promise which he has recorded. Man’s faith is so weak that, unless promises and assurances are reiterated, they make little impression.
Psalm 12:8 The Word of the Lord opposes wicked and vile leaders
“The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 8. – The wicked walk on every side. This can scarcely have been intended as an independent clause, though grammatically it stands alone. It is best to supply “while” or “though” before “the wicked,” as Dr. Kay does, and to translate, Though (or, while) wicked men march to and fro on all sides; i.e. while they have their way, and control all other men’s incomings and out-goings, being free themselves. When the vilest men are exalted; rather, and though villainy (זֻלּות) exalteth itself among the sons of men.
Related Content
Kingdom Parables: Treasure God’s Word
Poor Interpretation? Matt. 24:8-13 God’s Word-infallible!
God’s Wisdom for you: Proverbs 12
White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.
Let me know what you think.