Psalm 12

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:1-8Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth.--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. Others suppose that it was occasioned by the treachery of the Ziphites (1 Samuel 23:19), or the treachery of Ahithophel, in Absalom’s rebellion. But... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 12:3-4

Psalms 12:3-4The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips.The lawlessness of the tongueThe language of agitators is indicated in this text, of men who think to carry everything by free speech, a free press, and a free pulpit. God forbid that we should ever see the day when either of these three great agencies for enlightening, exciting, and directing human thought shall not be free. However much they may be abused, they are still the chief glory of a country. It is not to be denied, however, that... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 12:5

Psalms 12:5For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, with the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.The poor set in safetyGod’s family in all ages have resembled each other. Hence the Word of God is rich in consolation.I. God’s Word deals with and is addressed to characters. Two such are named.1. The poor--the poor in spirit, conscious that they have no good in themselves. God brings all His people to this state.2. The oppression of... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Psalms 12:6

Psalms 12:6The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. The excellence of the Holy ScripturesI. The holy description of the sacred writings here given. It tells of--1. Their high authority. The men who wrote these books say, “The Spirit of God spoke by me, and His Word was upon my tongue,” “Thus saith the Lord,” and so on. Thus they claim high authority. But you may ask, “How are we to know it?” Therefore note--2. Their inherent sanctity.... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:1

Psalms 12:1 « 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. Ver. 1. Help, Lord ] It was high time to call to heaven for help when Saul cried, Go, kill me up the priests of Jehovah (the occasion, as it is thought, of making this psalm), and therein committed the sin against the Holy Ghost, as some grave divines are of the opinion, 1 Samuel 22:17 . David, after many sad thoughts about that... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:2

Psa 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak. Ver. 2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour ] They speak falsely and fraudulently, and therein have an art, as Jeremiah 9:4-5 , such as the devil hath taught them. With flattering lips ] Blandientibus, vel dividentibus. The Syriac version hath it, with dividing lips, such as separate very friends. With a double heart do theft speak ] Heb. With a heart and a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:3

Psa 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, [and] the tongue that speaketh proud things: Ver. 3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips ] As a rotten member is cut off from the body - Ne pars sincera trahatur, or as a barren tree is stocked up, that it cumber not the ground. There is a wonderful sympathy between princes and parasites, whose song is Mihi placet, quicquid regi placet, and whose practice is to speak suavia potius quam sans, sweet rather than sound things. But God... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:4

Psa 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us? Ver. 4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail ] Dictitant enim, this was a common word with them. And surely the tongue is a desperate weapon, made in the form of a flaming sword, and elsewhere by David compared to a tuck or rapier, Psalms 64:3 , to a razor also, doing deceit, Psa 52:2 The Chaldee paraphrast hath this text thus, Because we can swear and lie, therefore we shall... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:5

Psa 12:5 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. Ver. 5. For the oppression of the poor ] Whose very oppression, though they complain not, hath a voice, and God will hear it, for he is gracious, Exodus 22:27 . He heard Hagar’s affliction, though she said nothing, Genesis 16:11 ; he heareth the young ravens that cry unto him by implication only. For the sighing of the needy ] If... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Psalms 12:6

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Ver. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words ] Free from all insincerity or falsehood; and not like those of Saul’s flatterers, vile and vicious. All God’s promises are infallible, and such as a man may write upon, as they say. They are yea and Amen, 2 Corinthians 1:20 , that is, truth and assurance. God hath hitherto kept promise with nights and days, that they shall one succeed... read more

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