Psalm 12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Hard, times. This psalm has no indication of the time in which it was written. £ At whatever time, however, it may have been penned, there is no doubt about the general features of the age here represented. It was one in which good men were becoming more and more rare, in which the wicked abounded, and took occasion from the numerical inferiority of the righteous to indulge in haughty and vain talk against them and against God. The psalmist looks with concern and distress upon this state... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Christian growth. I. TROUBLE MOVES MEN TO PRAYER . ( Psalms 12:1 .) As the child instinctively cries to its father, so we cry to God. Society may wax worse and worse. The righteous may fail out of the land. It is hard to serve alone. Falsehood and lust prevail. There are fears on every side. In God alone is our help found. II. PRAYER STRENGTHENS FAITH . ( Psalms 12:3 , Psalms 12:4 .) There is some relief in telling our griefs. Further, we are cheered by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:1-8

Lamentation over the growing corruption of the nation. "The psalmist is appalled by the rottenness of society around him; unscrupulous ambition appears to rule supreme; truth is scorned as folly, and the god of lies is enthroned in the national heart. But God had not left himself without a witness." Prophets and seers had already declared the Divine word of promise, that the righteous cause should be upheld and vindicated. I. A DARK PICTURE OF DEPRAVED SOCIETY . 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:2

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour ; rather, they speak falsehood (Kay, Cheyne). Contrast the injunction of the apostle ( Ephesians 4:25 ). With flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak; literally, with lips of smoothness , and with a heart and a heart do they speak. The Authorized Version gives the true meaning. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:3

The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips . The complaint having been made, a threat follows (comp. Psalms 10:15 ; Psalms 11:6 ; Psalms 17:13 , etc.). The men who flatter with their lips, beguiling and cozening their victims to get them completely into their power, shall be "cut off" from the congregation (see Genesis 17:14 ; Exodus 12:15 , Exodus 12:19 ; Le Exodus 7:20 , 27; Exodus 17:10 , etc.). And the tongue that speaketh proud things ; literally, great things ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:4

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail ; or, through our tongues are we powerful ; i.e. whatever we desire we can accomplish through our tongues—by persuasion, or by menaces, or by skill in argument. Success in pleading before courts of law is, perhaps, included. Our lips are our own; literally, are with us ; i.e. are on our side, are our helpers (" Nobis auxilio et praesto sunt ," Michaelis). Who is lord over us? Who, i.e; can interfere with us and impede our action?... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:4

Unbridled speech. "Our lips are our own," etc. If it be true, as we often say, that "actions speak louder than words," it is also true that speech is a kind of action, and that words often speak more than the speaker means to utter. Light, thoughtless words, void of serious meaning, sometimes flash a light into the inmost chamber of the heart; they could not have been spoken if kindness, good sense, justice, humility, dwelt and ruled there. Profuse professions are often interpreted by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:5

For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord . The ungodly having been threatened, a promise of assistance is made to the righteous whom they oppress. God declares that, in response to the many calls made upon him ( Psalms 3:7 ; Psalms 7:6 ; Psalms 9:19 ; Psalms 10:12 ), he will "now," at last, "arise"—interpose on behalf of the oppressed, and deliver them (comp. Exodus 3:7 , Exodus 3:8 ). I will set him in safety from him that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:6

The words of the Lord are pure words . There is no base alloy in them: therefore they may be trusted. What God promises, he will perform. As silver tried in a furnace of earth ; rather, perhaps, silver assayed in a crucible on earth (Kay). Purified seven times (comp. Psalms 18:30 ; Psalms 19:8 ; Psalms 119:140 ; Proverbs 30:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 12:6

The preciousness of the Word. "The words of the Lord," etc. Thus the Bible bears witness to itself. We read often in Scripture of "the word of the Lord"—not so often of "the words" of the Lord. By "the Word of the Lord" is meant sometimes a particular command, promise, or prediction; but frequently—and usually in the New Testament—the substance or sum-total of Divine truth ( Psalms 119:9 , e.g. ). But this phrase, "the words of the Lord," calls attention to the actual utterances in... read more

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