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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 12:1-8

The same subject may be traced here as in Psalms 9-11, viz. a time of persecution and oppression coupled with a conviction that God lives and will yet deliver.Title as in Psalms 6.2. Vanity] empty and false words. A double heart] a figure for treachery and deceit.4. Our lips are our own] We have a right to say what we please, to gain our end.5. Now will I arise] God’s time for interposition always arrives sooner or later. The Psalmist pictures the proper moment as having come. From him that... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 12:6

(6) As silver.—This solemn promise of Jehovah may be relied on, for His words are not like those of deceitful men—alloyed with self and falsehood—but are pure as silver seven times smelted.In a furnace.—Either a “workshop” or a “crucible,” according as derived.Of earth.—These words are difficult; they must mean either in earth, referring to the ashes in which the smelted silver falls, or as to earth, i.e., as to the alloy, or as we say, purified of the alloy.But erets is never else used for the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:5 This verse was the text of a sermon preached by Dr. Fabricius before Gustavus Adolphus, when he took Augsburg after a severe fight, in which the honour of the day was given by the king to the Scottish Brigade under Colonel Hepburn. A solemn thanksgiving was held in the principal church, and religious liberty was proclaimed in the city of the famous Confession, while the ferocious Tilly, after his defeat, returned breathing out threatenings and slaughter. John Ker. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:1-8ONE penalty of living near God is keen pain from low lives. The ears that hear God’s word cannot but be stunned and hurt by the babble of empty speech. This psalm is profoundly melancholy, but without trace of personal affliction. The psalmist is not sad for himself, but sick of the clatter of godless tongues, in which he discerns the outcome of godless lives. His plaint wakes echoes in hearts touched by the love of God and the visions of man’s true life. It passes through four... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 12:0 1. The arrogance of the wicked in the last days (Psalms 12:1-4 ) 2. Then Jehovah will act and deliver His people (Psalms 12:5-8 ) Psalms 12:1-4 . It is the time of departure from the Lord; the godly and faithful have ceased. It is a mass of corruption, lying lips, flattering lips, proud lips. They reject the Lord. “Who is lord over us?” Psalms 12:5-8 . Then faith sees the coming intervention. The Lord will speak. “Now will I arise, saith Jehovah, I will set him in safety whom... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Psalms 11:0 A song of trust. The declaration “In the Lord put I my trust” (Psalms 11:1 ) is buttressed by the reason (Psalms 11:7 ), while all between describes the condition in which David finds himself. Urged to flee from his enemies (Psalms 11:1 ), he shows the futility of the attempt (Psalms 11:2 ). The moral foundations are being undermined (Psalms 11:3 ), and only Jehovah is able to discriminate and judge (Psalms 11:4-6 ). Psalms 12:0 The evil speaker. The close relation between this... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 12:1-8

The Ideal Christianity Psalms 12:0 Help, Lord" ( Psa 12:1 ). That may be a good prayer or a bad one. There is nothing in the words themselves to indicate the quality of the petition. Everything depends upon the spiritual condition of the petitioner. A man may cry to God for help with a very selfish heart, without any due recognition of God's claim, God's nature, God's kingdom. The prayers of the wicked are an abomination unto the Lord. There is no meaner cry than "Help, Lord," unless it be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 12:6

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "The words of the Lord are pure words." Psa 12:6 Purity would seem to be impossible upon earth. Even where we have divine treasure we have it in earthen vessels, and the danger is that the vessels shall in some degree corrupt the treasures. All human words are tainted with alloy. Even when men make their best promises there is of necessity an element of selfishness in the pledge. If the heart is deceitful, the words must partake of the quality of the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 12:6

How beautifully is this verse introduced, by way of contrast to what was said before concerning the words of the ungodly. Do sinners talk of vanity? let saints then speak of Jesus and his gospel. Do they talk impure words? then let the faithful use the pure words of God, which, like silver; the more used, the more melted in the fire, the more precious will they be. It is true indeed, despisers will esteem both God and his word as trifling; but oh! what unknown treasure doth the word, the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 12:1-8

Prayer for God's Protection of His Church. This psalm again shows a prophetical strain; it is applicable throughout to the little flock, the poor, small crew of the Christian Church, in its many vicissitudes. Cf Acts 2:30. To the chief musician upon Sheminith, upon the octave, to be sung or played with bass voices, or, on an eight-stringed instrument, a psalm of David. v. 1. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, it was a time when true piety was decreasing both in amount and in influence; ... read more

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