Old Testament
Psalms 12
Overview
Psalm 12 is a community lament over a society where godly and faithful people seem to have vanished and where flattering lips, double hearts, and boastful tongues rule the day. David cries "Save, O LORD," grieving a culture of pervasive lying. The turning point comes when God himself speaks, promising to rise up for the poor and needy, and the psalm celebrates the LORD's words as silver refined seven times — utterly pure in contrast to human deceit.
1To 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.
2They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5For 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.
6The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.