Psalm 12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:1

Verse 1 To the chief musician upon the eighth. With respect to the word eighth, there are two opinions among interpreters. According to some, it means a musical instrument; while others are rather inclined to think that it is a tune. But as it is of no great importance which of these opinions is adopted, I do not trouble myself much about this matter. The conjecture of some, that it was the beginning of a song, does not seem to me to be so probable as that it refers to the tune, and was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:2

Verse 2 2.Every man speaketh deceit. David in this verse sets forth that part of unrighteousness which is contrary to truth. He says that there is no sincerity or uprightness in their speech, because the great object upon which they are bent is to deceive. He next describes the manner in which they deceive, namely, that every man endeavors to ensnare his neighbor by flattery (257) He also points out the fountain and first cause of this, They speak with a double heart. This doubleness of heart,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:3

Verse 3 To his complaint in the preceding verse he now subjoins an imprecation, that God would cut off deceitful tongues. It is uncertain whether he wishes that deceitful men may be utterly destroyed, or only that the means of doing mischief may be taken from them; but the scope of the passage leads us rather to adopt the first sense, and to view David as desiring that God, by some means or other, would remove that plague out of the way. As he makes no mention of malice, while he inveighs so... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:4

Verse 4 This the Psalmist confirms more fully in the following verse: Who have said, we will be strengthened by our tongues Those must be possessed of great authority who think that, in the very falsehood to which they are addicted, they have enough of strength to accomplish their purposes, and to protect themselves. It is the utmost height of wickedness for persons to break out into such presumption, that they scruple not to overthrow all law and equity by their arrogant and boasting language;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:5

Verse 5 5.Because of the spoiling of the needy. David now sets before himself as matter of consolation, the truth that God will not suffer the wicked thus to make havoc without end and measure. The more effectually to establish himself and others in the belief of this truth, he introduces God himself as speaking. The expression is more emphatic when God is represented as coming forward and declaring with his own mouth that he is come to deliver the poor and distressed. There is also great... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:6

Verse 6 6.The words of Jehovah. The Psalmist now declares, that God is sure, faithful, and steadfast in his promises. But the insertion by the way of this commendation of the word of God would be to no purpose, if he had not first called himself, and other believers, to meditate on God’s promises in their afflictions. Accordingly, the order of the Psalmist is to be attended to, namely, that, after telling us how God gives to his servants the hope of speedy deliverance, even in their deepest... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:7

Verse 7 7.Thou, O Jehovah. Some think that the language of the Psalmist here is that of renewed prayer; and they, therefore, understand the words as expressive of his desire, and translate them in the optative mood, thus, Do thou, O Jehovah, keep them (266) But I am rather of opinion that David, animated with holy confidence, boasts of the certain safety of all the godly, of whom God, who neither can deceive nor lie, avows himself to be the guardian. At the same time, I do not altogether... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:8

Verse 8 8.The ungodly walk about on every side. The Hebrew word סביב,sabib, which we have translated on every side, signifies a circuit, or a going round; and, therefore, some explain it allegorically thus: the ungodly seize upon all the defiles or narrow parts of roads, in order to shut up or besiege the good on all sides; and others expound it even more ingeniously, thus: that they lay snares by indirect means, and by inventions full of art and deception. But I think the simple meaning is,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1

Help, Lord ; rather, Save , Lord , as in the margin (comp. Psalms 20:9 ; Psalms 28:9 ; Psalms 60:5 , etc.). For the godly man ceaseth . "Ceaseth," i.e; "out of the land "—either slain or driven into exile. We must make allowance for poetic hyperbole. For the faithful fail from among the children of men (compare, for the sentiment, Micah 7:2 ). The writer, for the moment, loses sight of the "remnant"—the "little flock "—which assuredly remained, and of which he speaks in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

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