Psalm 12

Psa 12:1

SUPERSCRIPTION: 'A PSALM OF DAVID'.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Absalom's rebellion (2Sa 15,16), accompanied by a campaign of false rumor and character assassination. Or poss the hostility of Doeg the Edomite, based on Psa 52:2-4.

HELP, LORD, FOR THE GODLY ARE NO MORE: Many supporters, whom David thought he could count on, evidently fell away. Otherwise, would he have abandoned Jerusalem?

HELP, LORD: "He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word 'help' is inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it" (CHS).

HELP: Nearly the word "Messiah". This verse implies a serious falling away of disciples from close loyalty to Jesus, in the last days of the ministry: Joh 6:60,66; Mat 26:56.

Psa 12:2

Absalom's organized denigration of the king, which could do so much in weaning supporters away from him: 2Sa 15:1-6. (NT) A systematic propaganda campaign against Jesus. Or Judas' kiss of betrayal: Mat 26:49.

EVERYONE LIES TO HIS NEIGHBOR: Paul quotes these words in Eph 4:25, making a powerful ct by the drastic change of one word: i.e. "vanity" to "truth"! Cp the flattery of Tertullus with the sincerity of Paul in Act 24:1-10.

THEIR FLATTERING LIPS SPEAK WITH DECEPTION: Their deceitful talk in temple discussions: Mat 22:16.

DECEPTION: "A double heart" (AV). Lit, "with a heart and a heart" (AV mg; cp 1Ch 12:33). This context suggests that Jam 1:8 refers not to the well-meaning doubter but to the willful traitor. "A man without a heart is a wonder; but a man with two hearts is a monster" (Thomas Adams).

Psa 12:3

ALL FLATTERING LIPS: Heb "lips of smoothness" (cp Psa 55:21; Isa 30:10).

EVERY BOASTFUL TONGUE: The confidence of the rebels that they will succeed.

Psa 12:4

A comparable confidence in the power of their propaganda.

WE OWN OUR LIPS: Meaning either: (a) they are our chief resource, or (b) we have a right to say what we like. Lit: "our lips are with us"; ct "Immanuel" (God is with us). "Speaking great swelling words" (Jud 1:16) of boastful arrogance (2Pe 2:10-12). Ct 1Co 6:20, where Paul tells us that our bodies, and every member thereof, belong to God.

WHO IS OUR MASTER?: The rulers who rejected Jesus were essentially atheists. Note Joh 11:48: our place (ie temple) and our nation!

Psa 12:5

All will yet turn out well.

OPPRESSION... GROANING: The willful opposition and malicious criticism of his adversaries were to Jesus worse than physical persecution. But at last he was set in safety.

OPPRESSION: Means plundering: the rebels at work. LXX: sw Jam 5:1; 4:9.

GROANING: Sw Psa 79:11; 102:20; Rom 8:26.

I WILL NOW ARISE: That God will do so is a constant prayer: Psa 3:7; 7:6; 9:19; 10:12. Cp Exo 2:23-25; 3:7-9.

SAYS THE LORD: The interesting phenomenon of a revelation embodied in a later inspired Scripture. So also in Psa 60:6-8; 81:5-14; 95:8-11; 132:11-18.

I WILL PROTECT THEM: "Set him in safety" (AV) refs to Mahanaim (2Sa 17:27), where David knew he could count on the protection, not only of loyal followers, but also of a host of angels (Psa 34:7; Gen 32:1,2).

Psa 12:6

These words of the Lord (v 5) are compared to refined silver because they imply redemption: Exo 30:12,13; 38:26,27. David would be delivered, or redeemed, out of his trials.

WORDS... FLAWLESS: Pro 30:5. This word is used many times of a man pronounced clean under the Law of Moses (Lev 13:13,17,37,39-41; etc), eg the healed leper.

REFINED IN A FURNACE: For the purifying effect of fiery trials, see 1Pe 1:7; Pro 17:3; 27:21; Job 23:10; Mal 3:3.

Psa 12:8

WHAT IS VILE IS HONORED AMONG MEN: Ahithophel? See Pro 28:12,18; 29:2. "The vilest of the sons of Adam"; ie Cain, who slew his brother: Gen 4:8; 1Jo 3:12.

THE WICKED FREELY STRUT ABOUT: Ziba? Shimei?

SUBSCRIPTION: "FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC".