Psalm 12

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 12:4

With our tongue will we prevail, by raising and spreading slanders and evil reports concerning him, whereby both Saul will be highly and implacably enraged against David, and the hearts of the people alienated from him; which was indeed a very likely way to prevail against, him, and that by their tongues only. Our lips are our own, i.e. at our own dispose to speak what we please. Who is lord over us; who can control or restrain us? This was not the language of their mouths, for they were... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor; oppressed by Saul through the instigation and artifices of his fawning courtiers. Now; speedily, sooner than they imagine or expect. From him that puffeth at him, i.e. from him that despiseth him, and hopeth to destroy him with a puff of breath, or a parcel of words. See this phrase Psalms 10:5. Only there it is construed with beth, and here with lamed; which may make some difference. And the supplement in our translation may seem to be large, and not necessary.... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 12:6

Pure; or, sincere; without the least mixture of vanity or falsehood; and therefore shall infallibly be fulfilled. This he seems to add to answer an objection which might arise in some men’s minds concerning what was last said. You tell us, The, Lord saith, I will set him in safety, &c.; but saying and doing are two things. They are so indeed in men, who oft speak rashly what they cannot perform, and deceitfully what they never intend: but all God’s words are pure from all manner of dross;... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 12:7

Thou shalt keep them; either, 1. The poor and needy, Psalms 12:5, from the crafts and malice of this crooked and perverse generation of men, and for ever. Or, 2. Thy words or promises last mentioned, Psalms 12:6. These thou wilt observe and keep (as these two verbs commonly signify) both now, and from this generation for ever, i.e. Thou wilt not only keep thy promise to me in preserving me, and advancing me to the throne, but also to my posterity from generation to generation. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 12:8

The wicked walk on every side; which phrase may note, 1. Their great numbers; they fill all places. 2. Their freedom and safety; they are not restrained nor punished, but go about boldly and securely whither they please. 3. Their proficiency and success, which is sometimes signified by this verb, as Genesis 26:13; 1 Samuel 2:21; Isaiah 40:31. They grow worse and worse, and prosper in and by their wickedness. 4. Their incessant and unwearied industry in doing mischief to good men. Compare 1... read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

INTRODUCTION“This, according to the title, is one of David’s psalms, but there is nothing in the circumstances, so far as we know them, of his history which can lead us to associate the psalm with any particular period. Tholuck thinks it is aimed at persons by whom David was surrounded in the court of Saul. But it is not one or two prominent individuals whose conduct forms the burden of the Psalmist’s complaint. He is evidently smarting from the falseness and the hypocrisy of the time. The... read more

Charles Simeon

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae - Psalms 12:4

DISCOURSE: 507PRACTICAL ATHEISM EXPOSEDPsalms 12:4. Who is Lord over us?THAT “the world lieth in wickedness,” is a truth generally acknowledged. But it is by the more heinous acts alone that men in general estimate the wickedness around them: whereas in order to form a correct judgment, they should mark the alienation of heart from God which is observable, not in gross sinners only, but in the more moral and decent part of mankind. A spirit of independence pervades all ranks and orders of men:... read more

C.I. Scofield

Scofield's Reference Notes - Psalms 12:1

Sheminith (See Scofield " :-") read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:1-8 The chief musician upon octaves, the psalm of David. Psalms 12:1-8 .Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men ( Psalms 12:1 ).Remember when Elijah said, "Lord, they have all bowed their knee to Baal and I, only I am left. Lord, the righteous man ceases. There is none left.""Help, Lord. The faithful fail from among children of men."They speak emptiness every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and a double heart do they... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:1 . Help, Lord; for the godly, Hebrews חסיד chasid, the merciful man ceaseth. The true reading is preferable, because it joins piety with usefulness. In this manner David is thought to have prayed in the wilderness of Ziph, against the vices of the court, after the eighty priests of Nob, and their city, were destroyed. 1 Samuel 22:23. REFLECTIONS. The lying tongue of Doeg, who misguided his sovereign to a rash and bloody act, pierced the soul of David. But he who for the... read more

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