1 [[To the chief Musician H5329 upon Sheminith, H8067 A Psalm H4210 of David.]] H1732 Help, H3467 LORD; H3068 for the godly man H2623 ceaseth; H1584 for the faithful H539 fail H6461 from among the children H1121 of men. H120
2 They speak H1696 vanity H7723 every one H376 with his neighbour: H7453 with flattering H2513 lips H8193 and with a double H3820 heart H3820 do they speak. H1696
3 The LORD H3068 shall cut off H3772 all flattering H2513 lips, H8193 and the tongue H3956 that speaketh H1696 proud H1419 things:
4 Who have said, H559 With our tongue H3956 will we prevail; H1396 our lips H8193 are our own: who is lord H113 over us?
5 For the oppression H7701 of the poor, H6041 for the sighing H603 of the needy, H34 now will I arise, H6965 saith H559 the LORD; H3068 I will set H7896 him in safety H3468 from him that puffeth H6315 at him.
6 The words H565 of the LORD H3068 are pure H2889 words: H565 as silver H3701 tried H6884 in a furnace H5948 of earth, H776 purified H2212 seven times. H7659
7 Thou shalt keep H8104 them, O LORD, H3068 thou shalt preserve H5341 them from this H2098 generation H1755 for ever. H5769
8 The wicked H7563 walk H1980 on every side, H5439 when the vilest H2149 men H1121 H120 are exalted. H7311
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 12
Commentary on Psalms 12 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 12
Ps 12:1-8. On title, see Introduction and see on Ps 6:1. The Psalmist laments the decrease of good men. The pride and deceit of the wicked provokes God's wrath, whose promise to avenge the cause of pious sufferers will be verified even amidst prevailing iniquity.
1. the faithful—or literally, "faithfulness" (Ps 31:23).
2. The want of it is illustrated by the prevalence of deceit and instability.
3, 4. Boasting (Da 7:25) is, like flattery, a species of lying.
lips, and … tongue—for persons.
5. The writer intimates his confidence by depicting God's actions (compare Ps 9:19; 10:12) as coming to save the poor at whom the wicked sneer (Ps 10:5).
6. The words—literally, "saying of" (Ps 12:5).
seven times—thoroughly (Da 3:19).
7. them—(Margin.)
8. The wicked roam undisturbed doing evil, when vileness and vile men are exalted.